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Section: Emotional Based Disorders - Adult
Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Disorder Origins / Disorder Information

 

 

Alcohol/Substance Abuse origins:

Alcohol/Substance abuse theory:

Introverted/Extroverted Disorder: Mostly Extroverted - Emotional based

Alchol/Substance abuse is influenced from most to least by the following Variables

3 Categories: Stimuli, Emotional, Logical

*This is a stimulus based disorder designed to artificially increase activity creating chemical imbalances that revolve around

Alcohol and other substance abuse bind to certain sections of the brain and do one of two things.

1. It ether stimulates neuron clusters

Or

2. It inhibits the flow of neurotransmitters creating an internal build up in a specific area.

*Both have to do with an artificial increase in stimuli.

1. When it stimulates the brain, that section affected will go into overdrive creating an increased flow of neurotransmitter. The chemical in question then flows freely to saturate other neurons in the area creating a superficial state of heightened activity. This overworks the neurons and creates a high point in stimulus, or what is known as the first step of the addiction cycle. Afterwards the secretion of neuraltransmitters begins to fall below nominal levels creating an internal need for more of the external stimulant. This creates mental repression that gets reflected in external function leading to cyclical behavior that is designed.

2. When neurotransmitters are inhibited and restricted from flowing freely, it creates a build up over stimulating that section. Now since different types of drugs have different binding constraints, it will affect different areas of the brain and hence give a different effect.

In both cases the neurons become tired creating an addiction or what is known as a high point in stimulus, the brain asks for more to try and balance things out, attention span shortens to meet these needs and the cycle repeats itself.

The addiction itself can become worse as the reliance of substance abuse accelerates increasing the up and down patterns of chemical secretions.

 
ADHD Psychological Model
 

Whats happening on the surface:

Alcohol is consumed on numerous occasions over a period of time that fulfills a number of requirements. These requirements become pattern based and can impair social function as well as normal every day activity

*Often accompanied by a lack of stable family relations or some kind of conflict within the family circle.

*Self esteem can also be an issue, in which alcohol/substance abuse is used to artificially increase ones stimuli in a rebound effort against negative restrictive thoughts.

Whats happening at the chemical level:

Evolution states that stimuli must be obtained to move along the evolution process and does not discriminate based on the sources available. And therefore the chemicals involved become expressive and stronger with time integrating the stimuli obtained.

Raw stimuli in positive and negative form will be accepted in all forms regardless if it is good for the individual or not.

Patterns are formed and with it, chemical secretion follows, this is however done by a superficial means of inflating it with an external substance.

An addiction will be formed based on the pattern to return the bodies nervous to a previous high point in stimuli that can't be obtained with normal experience. Therefore, dependence is formed around cyclical activity.

Fundamental design behind why it happens:

Evolution aims to integrate all forms of stimuli, even if that stimuli comes from external sources that are negative in origin created by structured society in which cycles will still be created to encourage such activity.

  

Alcohol/Substance Abuse information:

Definition

Substance-related disorders are disorders of intoxication, dependence, abuse, and substance withdrawal caused by various substances, both legal and illegal. These substances include: alcohol, amphetamines , caffeine, inhalants, nicotine, prescription medications that may be abused (such as sedatives), opioids (morphine, heroin), marijuana (cannabis), cocaine, hallucinogens, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Description

According to the mental health clinician's handbook, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM ), fourth edition text revised ( DSMIV-TR ), all of the substances listed above, with the exceptions of nicotine and caffeine, have disorders of two types: substance use disorders and substance-induced disorders. Substance use disorders include abuse and dependence. Substance-induced disorders include intoxication, withdrawal, and various mental states ( dementia , psychosis , anxiety, mood disorder, etc.) that the substance induces when it is used.

Substance dependence is characterized by continued use of a substance even after the user has experienced serious substance-related problems. The dependent user desires the substance ("craving") and needs more of the substance to achieve the effect that a lesser amount of the substance induced in the past. This phenomenon is known as tolerance. The dependent user also experiences withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not used. Withdrawal symptoms vary with the substance, but some symptoms may include increased heart rate, shaking, insomnia , fatigue , and irritability.

Substance abuse is continued use of a substance in spite of school- or work-related or interpersonal problems, but the user has not gotten dependent on the substance. The individual who abuses a substance may experience legal problems and may have problems fulfilling responsibilities, such as caring for a child.

Intoxication is the direct effect of the substance after an individual has used or has been exposed to the substance. Different substances affect individuals in various ways, but some of the effects seen in intoxication might include impaired judgment, emotional instability, increase or decrease in appetite, or changed sleep patterns.

The DSM-IV-TR does not recognize caffeine abuse or dependence, but does recognize the caffeine-induced disorders caffeine intoxication (restlessness, nervousness, excitement, etc. after caffeine consumption), caffeine-induced anxiety disorder (feelings of anxiety or panic attacks after caffeine consumption), and caffeineinduced sleep disorder (usually insomnia, but some may experience excessive sleepiness when caffeine is not consumed). As for nicotine, the DSM-IV-TR recognizes nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal.

The DSM-IV-TR lists disorders in the following categories:

  • alcohol-related disorders
  • amphetamine-related disorders
  • caffeine-related disorders
  • cannabis-related disorders
  • cocaine-related disorders
  • hallucinogen-related disorders
  • inhalant-related disorders
  • nicotine-related disorders
  • opioid-related disorders
  • phencyclidine-related disorders
  • sedative-, hypnotic-, or anxiolytic-related disorders
  • polysubstance dependence

Resources

BOOKS

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth edition, text revised. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
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