Chapter 1 Intro

Question 1

What is a psychoactive drug?

Answer 1

Any agent that causes a psychological effect, especially if the drug is taken purposefully for those effects and the effects are mediated by the CNS

Question 2

Psychotherapeutic drug

Answer 2

A drug that is taken to treat a psychological disorder

Question 3

Recreational drug

Answer 3

A drug that is taken for enjoyment or interest

Question 4

What aspects of drug use affect our reaction to that use?

Answer 4

• What drug are we talking about?
• Who is taking the drug?
• When and/or where is the drug being used?
• Why is the drug being used?
• How is the drug taken?
• How much is being taken?
• How often is the drug being used?

Question 5

Difference between drug use and drug abuse?

Answer 5

Can the user stop? Does the user continue despite problems? Intentions?

Question 6

If you take more of a drug, do you simply get more of an effect?

Answer 6

Not necessarily. The degree but also the type of effect is dose-dependent. Some effects emerge at high doses, while others intensify.

Question 7

Trends in drug use

Answer 7

1960s: LSD was a symbol of the counterculture, rejection of the establishment, seeking entertainment
1970s: Marijuana was a symbol of youthful rebellion, similar to LSD
1980s: Powder cocaine was a symbol of the “yuppie” lifestyle (make a lot of money during the day, party all night)
1990s: ecstasy was associated with raves and an alternative lifestyle, but interest in a healthier “new age” lifestyle was associated with less drug use
2000s+: the drug concern was/is prescription opiates, in particular Oxycontin, but meth has also become a drug of concern. But it’s noteworthy that in the last few years, economists have identified a trilogy of “disease of despair”: drug use, alcoholism, and suicide

Question 8

What are the ways of tracking drug use over time in specific populations?

Answer 8

DAWN, Monitoring the Future, and National Survey of Drug Use and Health

Question 9

DAWN (Drug Abuse Warning Network)

Answer 9

Collected information about ER visits related to drugs and about deaths related to drugs

Question 10

Monitoring the Future

Answer 10

Collects information about drug use from high school students; 8th and 12th grades most intensely but 10th grade and college as well

Question 11

National Survey of Drug Use and Health

Answer 11

A house-to-house survey that collects information from a range of ages

Question 12

Issues in studying drug use with surveys

Answer 12

• Accuracy in reporting
• What is being asked
• Most studies of interventions involve marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco
• Drug use is at low levels currently

Question 13

Risk Factors Associated with Drug Use by Adolescents

Answer 13

• having friends who use that drug or other substances
• engaging in frequent fights, stealing, or other antisocial activities
• perceiving that substance use is prevalent at their school
• knowing adults who use the substance or other substances
• having a positive attitude toward substance use

Question 14

Protective Factors Associated with Drug Use by Adolescents

Answer 14

• perceiving that there are strong sanctions against substance use at school
• having parents as a source of social support
• being committed to school
• believing that religion is important and frequently attending religious services
• participating in two or more extracurricular activities