Impaired control
using for longer than intended or larger amounts than intended; wanting to reduce use but being unsuccessful doing so; spending excessive time getting/using/recovering from drug use; very intense cravings
Social impairment
continues use despite problems in spheres of life; continues despite interpersonal problems regarding substance use; reduced social and recreational activities because of substance use
Risky use
repeated use in physically dangerous situations; repeated use despite worsening physical and psychological problems
Pharmacological criteria
development of tolerance and withdrawal
Key brain areas associated with addiction
Insula, basal ganglia, midbrain, raphe nucleus, VTA, Nucleus accumbens, PFC, striatum, substantia nigra, hippocampus, extended amygdala
Addiction cycle
Binge/Intoxication, Withdrawal/Negative effects, Preoccupation/anticipation
Binge/Intoxication
stage when the individual consumes an intoxicating substance and experiences its rewarding/pleasurable effects
Withdrawal/negative effect
stage when the individual experiences negative emotional state in absence of substance
Preoccupation/anticipation
stage when individual seeks substance again after period of abstinence
Action potentials
Involves the temporal opening and closing of several voltage-dependent ion channels within the cell membrane
Drugs excitatory effects on neurotransmission
They increase synthesis of NTs, increase release of NTs, bind to receptors, block presynaptic ATs, block reuptake of NTs, block enzymes that break down NTs
Drugs inhibitory effects on neurotransmission
Decrease synthesis of NTs, decrease storage of NTs, decrease release of NTs, block receptors, stimulate presynaptic ATs
GABA
Most inhibitory NT, essential for relaxation. Location: up to 40% of neurons in brain
Affected directly by: valium, Xanax, rohypnol, barbiturates, alcohol
Glutamate
Most excitatory NT, responsible for sensory signals, brain excitability, brain plasticity, learning, and memory. Location: in over half of all synapses in brain
Affected directly by: alcohol, PCP, ketamine
Norepinephrine
Actions similar to sympathetic nervous system, arousal, mood, sex, appetite. Location: Locus Coeruleus. Affected by cocaine, amphetamine
Dopamine
Involved in arousal, mood, sex, appetite, motor function, reward and addiction. Located in: basal ganglia, VTA. Affected by: cocaine, amphetamine, Parkinson's drugs, antipsychotics
Serotonin
Directly affected by antidepressants, ecstasy, LSD
Pharmacokinetics
Study of how drugs are handled by the body—How they’re absorbed, distributed, transformed, metabolized, and excreted
ROA’s
sublingual, oral, inhalation, intranasal, transdermal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular
Bioavailability
Extent to which a drug reaches its site of action (reduced by first pass effect)
First pass effect
metabolism by the liver reduces the concentration of drug before it enters the systemic circulation—reduces bioavailability
Distribution
influenced by molecular size, fat vs water-soluble, ability to cross membranes—areas of the body that get the most blood will have highest concentrations