Substance Dependence and Addiction
- Substance dependence is a biopsychological condition where an individual's functionality is dependent on re-consumption of a psychoactive substance.
- Substance dependence is classified as a mental and behavioral disorder.
- Drug addiction is defined as compulsive, out-of-control drug use.
- Substance dependence and drug addiction are distinct concepts, although addictive drugs are both rewarding and reinforcing.
- Substance dependence can be diagnosed without the occurrence of a withdrawal syndrome.
- ΔFosB, a gene transcription factor, is a common factor in both behavioral and drug addictions.
Classification and Diagnosis
- Substance abuse and substance dependence have merged into substance use disorders.
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) introduced this change in 2013.
- Substance use disorders are diagnosed when problems persist despite negative consequences.
- Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal and its Effects
- Withdrawal is the body's reaction to abstaining from a substance.
- Cessation of substance use produces an unpleasant state.
- Negative reinforcement promotes continued drug use.
- Withdrawal state includes physical-somatic and emotional-motivational symptoms.
- Chemical and hormonal imbalances may arise without re-introduction of the substance.
Risk Factors and Biomolecular Mechanisms
- Mental health is a risk factor for illicit drug dependency or abuse.
- Dependence potential varies based on dose, frequency, and pharmacokinetics.
- Capture rates indicate the percentage of users who become dependent on a drug.
- Psychological dependence involves neuropeptides and gene transcription factors.
- Physical dependence is linked to changes in the cAMP signal transduction pathway.
Treatment Approaches and Goals
- Residential drug treatment programs, such as 12-step programs and therapeutic communities, are available.
- Behavioral programming, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and evidence-based intervention programs, is critical in achieving abstinence.
- Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, can be used as complementary treatments alongside traditional approaches.
- Different types of addiction treatment exist based on factors such as the type of drugs involved and medical complications.
- The ultimate goal of addiction treatment is to enable individuals to manage their substance misuse, with harm reduction as a key concept.
Substance dependence Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/substance-dependence |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_dependence |
| Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3378593 |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0466pc0 |
