Understanding Drug And Alcohol Abuse And Addiction

UnderstandingDrugand Alcohol Abuse and Addiction. SubstanceUse, Abuse,and Addiction. History. “Modern” Era. Societaland Healthcare Costs of Substance Abuse. Past Year Prevalence Rates of Substance Use in the General Population. Lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders per 100 persons > 18 years in U. Factors Contributing to Drug-Seeking Behavior. Psychoactive Substances with Abuse Liability. Intoxication. Effects of Blood Ethanol Concentration on CNS Functions. Tolerance. Dependence (AddictionWithdrawal Syndrome. Tolerance vs Dependence. Neuroadaptation in GABAA Receptors after CNS Depressants. Neuroadaptation in Dopamine Function after Cocaine. Clinical Diagnosis of Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Loss ofControl. Salience to Behavioral Repertoire. Neuroadaptation. Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Clinical Presentation. Brain activation during finger tapping. Clinical Presentation. Brain activation during sexual arousal. Treatment. Longitudinal Progression of Substance Use Disorders. Medications Used in Treatment. Future Research Directions.

Inexorably intertwined in socioeconomic fabric of most cultures Differential diagnosis of diverse medical and psychiatric illnesses Elucidates fundamental brain mechanisms of mood, thought, perception, and cognition Molecules to Man to Society.

Medical, religious, or recreational uses for indigenous psychoactive substances: Beer - archeological traces 4000 BC Opium - Papaver sominferum Marijuana - Cannabis sativa Tobacco - Nicotiana tabacum Cocaine - Erythroxylon coca Stimulants - Ephedra plant.

Blending of cultures and technological “advances” Synthesis of ephedrine analogues (e.g., amphetamine) and new CNS stimulants and depressants, hallucinogens, and anesthetics Epidemics of marijuana (60’s), heroin (70’s), cocaine (80’s); alcohol and drugs trend up (70’s), down (80’s), up (90’s).

Estimated $177 billion/year for medical care and lost productivity Abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs contribute to each of the ten leading causes of death in U.S. Large potential cost-savings in a capitated healthcare environment.

Past Year Prevalence Rates of Substance Use in the General Population.

Lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders per 100 persons > 18 years in U.S. population.

Substance Use Disorders Any substance use disorder Any alcohol disorder Any drug disorder Marijuana dependence/abuse Cocaine dependence/abuse Opiate dependence/abuse Barbiturate dependence/abuse Amphetamine dependence/abuse Hallucinogen dependence/abuse.