8: Drugs and Addiction
- Page ID
- 74227
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
- Explain what occurs in the body when someone has an addiction.
- Recognize risk factors for addiction
- Compare and contrast health effects of common illicit drugs
- Describe impacts of drug use on the individual, family, and community.
- Identify treatments for drug abuse.
Why is it important to understand how different drugs impact the body and mind?
What are the risks associated with using drugs?
What causes addiction?
This chapter focuses on drug use and addiction. Often addiction is associated with the consumption of addictive drugs, however addiction is broader than just the consumption of addictive substances and also includes behavioral addictions, such as the addiction to gambling, pornography, internet use, and exercise. There is debate whether behavioral addictions and substance addictions should be grouped together. This chapter will begin with a focus on substance addiction and will end with a focus on behavioral addictions.
- 8.1: Drug Use and Drug Addiction
- This page discusses drug addiction as a complex illness characterized by brain changes that hinder self-control and elevate drug use urges. It identifies risk factors like genetics and environment and highlights serious consequences on individual and societal levels, including health problems and family strain. Treatments exist for recovery, emphasizing addiction's chronic nature needing ongoing management. The importance of awareness and education for prevention and support is also underscored.
- 8.2: Drug Facts
- This page examines the short-term and long-term effects of various drugs, including health issues related to marijuana, opioids, and hallucinogens. It highlights immediate impacts like altered perception and increased heart rate, alongside chronic risks such as addiction and mental health challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups.
- 8.3: Drug Abuse or Addiction Treatment
- This page discusses addiction as a chronic, treatable disease necessitating long-term management through a combination of medications and behavioral therapy. It highlights the importance of personalizing treatment and addressing co-occurring mental health issues. Prevention strategies include education and community involvement.
- 8.4: Behavioral Addiction
- This page discusses Addiction Disorders, which include both substance and behavioral addictions, affecting health adversely. Substance addiction creates physical dependence on drugs, while behavioral addiction is driven by pleasurable activities. Six criteria are provided to identify behavioral addictions, including salience and tolerance. Notable behavioral addictions include gambling and internet gaming.
- 8.5: End-of-Chapter Material
- This page discusses drug addiction as a chronic disease characterized by compulsive behavior despite negative consequences. It explains the role of pleasurable effects and brain changes in dependence and tolerance, along with the complexity of predicting addiction due to various influencing factors. Withdrawal symptoms signify dependence, but emphasizes that drug addiction is treatable.


