Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders
Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders 14 th March, 2011 Introduction: • In most societies, use of substances to alter mood, behaviours, perceptions etc is accepted. • In our culture, use of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine is widely accepted as normal. • Nevertheless, these substances can lead to all sorts of problems for the user. What are psychoactive substances? • Psychoactive substances (chemicals which affect the central nervous system) become a problem when their consumption becomes habitual, when a craving develops, leading to and/or exacerbating persistent social, occupational, psychological and physical problems. Complexity of substance use disorders: • Substance use disorders know no social class boundaries: people at all levels of society may fall victim. • Understanding and dealing with substance use is very difficult and complex because – Recreational drug use is widespread – Complex interactions of physical, chemical, psychological, socio-cultural variables are involved in drug use – Certain drugs (alcohol, tobacco), although culturally accepted, pose serious dangers to users Dependence and Abuse: • Dependence: cognitive, behavioural and physiological symptoms that indicate the person has impaired control over the psychoactive substance and continues to use the substance despite adverse consequences. • Symptoms: physiological tolerance to the drug and withdrawal reactions when the drug is not available. • Key component: impaired control Distinction: • Physical dependence: when certain drugs are ingested for an extended period of time, the body habituates to the particular substance (tolerance). Thus, larger amounts are needed to achieve the same effects. If the amount of the drug is reduced the body (now habituated to the higher dosage) reacts with withdrawal: cramps, panic, restlessness, sweating, vomiting. Distinction: • Psychological dependence: other types of drugs, although frequently taken, do not alter the body’s tolerance for the drug.
[Show full text]