Substance use and gambling disorders - theories of substance use disorders

4 important questions on Substance use and gambling disorders - theories of substance use disorders

What are some of the biological factors that play a role in substance use disorders?

  • Pleasure or reward pathway sensitive to dopamine
    • cocaine and amphetamines
  • brain areas controlling the urge to drink or use drugs
  • chronic use of psychoactive substances alters reward centers and production of certain transmitters
    • cravings for certain substances
  • psychoactive drugs can affect a number of biochemical and brain systems
  • stress sensitivity to cues associated with substance use
  • genetic factors
    • dopamine receptor and transporter gene

What are some of the psychological factors that play a role in substance use disorders?

  • Modeling via parents or important others in culture
    • passed down through males in family
  • people's expectations of alcohol's effects and beliefs about appropriateness of using it to cope with stress
  • behavioral undercontrol
    • tendency to be impulsive, sensation seeking and prone to antisocial behaviors
    • influenced by genetics

What are some sociocultural factors that play a role in substance use disorders?

  • Stress caused by poverty, abusive relationships, fighting parents etc.
    • reinforcing effects
  • environmental reinforcements and punishments
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What are some gender differences that play a role in substance use disorders?

  • Substance abuse more acceptable for men
    • masculine behavior
  • women carry less risk factors for substance use disorders
    • personality traits and motivation
  • women suffer more easily from alcohol-related physical illness after alcohol exposure
  • reproductive problems in women
  • sooner feeling of intoxication than men
    • aversive effects

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