PSYC 1310 - Abnormal Psychology – Week 10
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Cont’d
• Hallucinogens
• Perspectives
• Treatments
• Relapse Prevention Treatment
• Gambling Disorder & Treatment
Hallucinogens
A class of drugs that produce sensory distortions or hallucinations
• May also have additional effects, such as relaxation and euphoria or, in some
cases, panic
Types of hallucinogens:
• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) – A synthetic hallucinogenic drug
• Effects vary by amount taken and user’s expectation, personality, mood,
and surroundings
• Phencyclidine, or PCP - Referred to as “angel dust”
• Classified as a deliriant – a drug capable of producing states of delirium
Hallucinogens Cont’d
Marijuana – A hallucinogenic drug derived from the leaves and stems of the plant
Cannabis sativa
• Classified as a hallucinogen because in high doses it can produce perceptual
distortions or mild hallucinations
• In low doses, produces relaxed feelings
• Associated with psychological rather than physiological dependence
LEGALIZED MARIJUANA. In 2018,
Marijuana was legalized in Canada. The
argument was that it will reduce the illegal
trade in this drug and all the associated
crime. What do you think?
Source: Jeffrey Rotman/Alamy Stock Photo
Biological Perspectives
• Neurotransmitters - Many drugs of abuse alter levels of neurotransmitters
•
Dopamine - Increased levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain’s
reward or pleasure circuits produce feelings of pleasure
•
Cocaine and Heroin - Regular use of some drugs may reduce the brain’s own
production of dopamine, leading to dependence on drug to produce feelings
of pleasure
•
Serotonin and Endorphins - Other neurotransmitters such as serotonin
and endorphins may also play a role in drug abuse and dependence
• Genetic Factors– Evidence supports role of genetic factors in a range of
substance use disorders involving alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and
tobacco
• Video on Neurotransmitters and Drugs
Learning Theory Perspectives
Substance-related behaviors are largely learned and can be unlearned
Operant Conditioning - Drugs produce reinforcing effects such as feelings of
pleasure and reductions in anxiety or depression
• Can also produce relief from tension (tension reduction theory)
Classical Conditioning
• Cravings may represent a conditioned response to environmental cues
associated with prior use of the substance
• Relief from unpleasant withdrawal symptoms is a negative reinforcer to
resuming drug use
Observational Learning
• Modeling plays an important role in determining risk of drug-related problems
• Can provide social reinforcement such as approval from others
• Adolescents with a parent who smokes are much more likely to smoke
compared to those in families where neither parent smokes
Cognitive Perspectives
Cognitive Factors - evidence supports the role of cognitive factors in substance
abuse and dependence
• Positive expectations about drug use increases the likelihood of use
• Drug use may boost self-efficacy expectations– personal expectancies we
hold about our ability to successfully perform tasks
• Expectancies may account for the “one-drink effect” – the tendency of
chronic alcohol abusers to binge once they have a drink
Psychodynamic Perspectives
Alcoholism reflects traits of dependence and depression (oral traits)
• Oral traits originated with fixation in the oral stage of psychosexual
development.
• Excessive drinking or smoking in adulthood symbolizes an individual’s efforts
to attain oral gratification
Sociocultural Perspectives
Drinking is determined, in part, by:
• Where we live
• Whom we worship with
• Social or cultural norms that regulate our behavior
Important influences in determining substance use among adolescents and young
adults:
• Peer pressure
• Exposure to a drug subculture
• Cultural attitudes can encourage or discourage problem drinking
• Rates of alcohol abuse vary across ethnic and religious groups
Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Many different approaches to the treatment of substance use disorders:
• Biological
• Psychological
• Nonprofessional
• Motivational interviewing techniques used to increase readiness to make changes
• Substance use often complicated by co-occurrence of other psychological
disorders
Biological Treatment Approaches
• Detoxification – The process of ridding the system of alcohol or other drugs
under supervised conditions
• Disulfiram – A drug used to discourage alcohol consumption because the
combination of the two produces a violent response consisting of nausea,
headache, heart palpitations, and vomiting
• Smoking cessation drugs – Drugs that blunt cravings for nicotine, including
buproprion and varenicline
• Nicotine replacement therapy – Nicotine replacements in the form of
prescription gum, transdermal patches, lozenges, and nasal sprays can help
smokers reduce cravings and unpleasant withdrawals
• Methadone maintenance programs – The synthetic opiate methadone is used
to blunt cravings for heroin and curb unpleasant withdrawal
• Naltrexone – A drug used to help block the feelings of pleasure produced by
alcohol, opioids, and amphetamines
Culturally Sensitive Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Need to understand culturally specific factors that predict treatment response in
ethnic minority groups
• The use of counselors for the client’s own ethnic group is an example of a
culturally sensitive treatment approach
• Culturally specific factors
• The use of counselors for the client’s own ethnic group
• Incorporate indigenous forms of healing into treatment
CULTURALLY SENSITIVE TREATMENT.
Culturally sensitive therapy or treatment
addresses all aspects of a person, including
ethnic factors and the nurturing of pride in
one’s cultural identity. Ethnic pride may help
people resist the temptation to cope with
stress through alcohol and other substances.
Source: David Grossman/Alamy Stock Photo
Nonprofessional Treatment Support Groups
Promote abstinence and provide an opportunity to discuss feelings and experiences
in a supportive group setting.
Examples include:
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Cocaine Anonymous
A PATH TOWARD RECOVERY. Selfhelp groups such as Alcoholics
Anonymous provide support to people
struggling with problems of alcohol and
drug abuse. Source: Fotolia
Residential Treatment Approaches
Requires a stay in a hospital or therapeutic residence.
• Hospitalization recommended when substance abusers:
• Are not able to exercise self-control in usual environments
• Cannot tolerate withdrawal symptoms
• Behave self-destructively or dangerously
• Most inpatient programs use an extended 28-day detoxification period, which
includes:
• Treatment for withdrawal symptoms
• Counseling
Behavioural Treatment Approaches
Focus on modifying abusive and dependent behavior patterns.
• Self-control training – Use “ABC” model of substance abuse: A (antecedent
cues), B (abusive behavior), and C (consequences)
• Contingency management (CM) programs – Provide reinforcements (rewards)
contingent on performing desirable behaviors.
• Aversive conditioning – Painful or aversive stimuli are paired with substance
abuse or abuse-related stimuli to condition negative emotional responses to drugrelated stimuli.
• Social skills training – Helps people develop effective interpersonal responses
in social situations that prompt substance abuse.
• Controlled drinking – Perspective that many people with alcohol abuse or
dependence can develop self-control techniques that allow them to engage in
controlled drinking. This is a controversial viewpoint.
Relapse-Prevention Training
Identify high-risk situations and learn effective coping skills for handling these
situations
High-risk situations may include:
• Negative mood states
• Interpersonal conflict
• Socially conductive situations
Relapse-prevention training
• Importance of interpretation of any lapse or slip
• Relapse-prevention training also focuses on preventing lapses from turning
into full-blown relapses
Gambling Disorder
Classified by DSM-5 as a nonchemical addictive disorder
Characterized by:
• Loss of control over behavior
• State of high arousal or pleasurable excitement when behavior is
performed
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Personality characteristics overlap with chemical abusers
• Cognitive errors - errors such as gambler’s fallacy and illusion of control bias
are common
• Many suffer low self-esteem and childhood rejection or abuse
Video on Gambling Disorder
Treatment of Compulsive Gambling
Treatment is challenging because:
• Have little insight into causes of their problems
• Are reluctant to enter treatment
Some success reported with:
• Cognitive-behavioral programs
• Peer support groups.
GAMBLING, AMERICAN STYLE. Gambling is big
business in the United States. Although most gamblers
can control their gambling behavior, compulsive
gamblers are unable to resist impulses to gamble.
Many compulsive gamblers seek help only when their
losses throw them into financial or emotional crisis. Source:
Nazarovsergey/Fotolia
Conclusion to Week 10
• Test #2 multiple choice test (20%)on Friday November 17
• Units on personality disorders and substance-related and addictive disorders
• Available from 1pm to 10pm on Blackboard, 40 questions - 60 minutes
• 3 types of multiple choice questions – definition, fill in the blank, and situation
style questions.
• Study using first your own notes, then my notes, then the textbook – focusing on
the key concepts covered in each class
• Rescheduling the test is only permitted with a valid medical certificate
• Next unit is on Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders