PS280 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Delirium Tremens, Disulfiram, Clonidine
Document Summary
Substance abuse: the person must experience one of the following: failure to fulfill major obligations, exposure to physical dangers, legal problems, persistent social or interpersonal problems. Dts (delirium tremens): substance withdrawal is alcohol withdrawal delirium. Polydrug: using or abusing more than one drug at a time. Sedatives (downers): slow the activities of the body and reduce its responsiveness. Opiates: addictive sedatives relieve pain and induce sleep when taken in moderate doses. Stimulants: or uppers, such as cocaine, act on the brain and the sympathetic nervous system to increase alertness and motor activity. Conditioning theory of tolerance: underscores the need to jointly consider biological processes and environmental stimuli that may be involved in the acquisition and maintenance of addictive behaviours. Feedforward mechanisms: anticipatory regulatory responses made in anticipation of a drug. Antabuse: a drug that discourages drinking by causing violent vomiting if alcohol is ingested. Clonidine: an antihypertensive medication, may ease withdrawal from a variety of addicting drugs, including cocaine.
