Addictive Behaviors Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D. Penn State Harrisburg.

Addictive BehaviorsAddictive Behaviors

Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D.

Penn State Harrisburg

What is addiction?What is addiction?

Substance abuseSubstance dependenceThese qualities are only related to

addiction

AddictionAddiction

Refers to the use of a substance characterized by:– The development of tolerance– The presence of withdrawal symptoms– The characteristic use of substances across a

wide array of circumstances

Diagnosis of Substance Diagnosis of Substance DependenceDependence Symptoms (at least 3 of):

– Tolerance– Withdrawal symptoms– Uses more than intended– Unable to reduce use– Much of time spent to obtain substance or recover

from use– Use continues despite physical or health problems – Gives up many other activities

Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse

Diagnosis (1 of the following)– Failure to fulfill major obligations, as

absences from work or school– Exposure to physical danger– Legal problems (such as a DUI, disorderly

conduct)– Persistent social or interpersonal problems

Psychoactive DrugsPsychoactive Drugs

I. Stimulants– “uppers”

– Speed, meth

– Amphetamines

– Methylphenidate

– Caffeine

– Nicotine

II. Depressants– “downers”

– Sedatives

– Hypnotics

– Ethanol

– Minor tranquilizers

– Barbiturates

StimulantsStimulants

Increase heart rate, respiration, release or facilitate neurotransmitters

Increased speech, pace of motor behavior, alertness and concentration

Can yield agitation, anxiety, flood of ideas, euphoria

Extreme doses can lead to paranoia, suspiciousness, guardedness, excessive withdrawal

DepressantsDepressants

Reduce muscle tone, relax, sedate induce sleep

Reduced respiration, heart rate, gastric motility

Loss of judgment, higher cognitive processes

Loss of behavioral inhibition

Other Classes of DrugsOther Classes of Drugs

HallucinogensMethylated HallucinogensKetamines (as PCP)MarijuanaEthanolNicotine

HallucinogensHallucinogens

Relatively recent discoveryD-Lysergic Acid Diethlamide

– Hoffer discovered LSD 25 quite by accident in his laboratory in 1938

– Took, as a test, what was thought to be a very small dose, and had an extreme hallucinatory experience

– Initially felt likely to be consciousness expanding


Early uncontrolled trials of experimental therapeutic use was described as “promising”

However, the work was poor controlled, lacked objective measures, no follow-up

A culture of “consciousness enhancement” followed

<3ng/ml yields intense psychic changes Poorly absorbed, only 1% to brain


There has been culture use of peyote buttons (mescaline) in religious experiences among the southwestern native Americans

Enhanced hallucinations and the religious or spiritual nature of the experience


Subjective effects mimic schizophrenic range disorders

Synesthesia – overflow of one sensory modality to the other

Vibrant, intense colors and sensory experiences

Alteration of time experienceFragmentation of self


Mood can be labile and amplifiedMuch greater sensitivity for stimulation

and feelings“Bad trips” occurred early in

experimentation, now quite rareSome rare individuals experience a

psychosis


Lethal dose estimated at ~ 14 mg in humans

Tolerance develops slowly, if at allFor the curious: A. Huxley “Doors of

Perception”


More recent developments in hallucinogens

“Club” drugs– Methylated hallucinogens– Ecstasy– MDA or MDMA– Methylenedioxyamphetamine– Methylenedioxymethamphetamine


“Club” drugs– Reported to improve intimacy and insight,

improves interpersonal awareness, enhances aesthetic awareness

– Some overdoses have occurred as have severe toxic reactions


PCP– Ketamine– “Angel dust”– Animal tranquilizer– Quite potent, can overdose– Extremely relaxing, violent or aggressive

actions can occur


Marijuana– Cannabis sativa– Hashish, a more potent form of cannabis– Use (18 year olds)

• Approximately 35% in past year

• Low rates about 25% to high of 40%


Marijuana– Dosage difficult to anticipate– Active agent is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC) – Acute effects impair intellect and possibly

memory– Inconsistent evidence of persisting memory

impairment


Marijuana– Some findings of adjustment difficulties

among marijuana smokers– Somatic effects

• 1. Dry mouth, red and itchy eyes• 2. Increased appetite• 3. Some blood pressure elevation• 4. Long term use impairs lung function• 5. Use patterns tend to amply effects


Marijuana– Addictive Aspects?

• 1. Some evidence of tolerance to more potent doses of marijuana

• 2. Doubtful of withdrawal symptoms


Marijuana– Learning aspects: Becker– “On becoming a marijuana user”– Noted the social learning process

• 1. Needs to learn how to smoke effectively

• 2. Needs to learn to attend to subtle changes of consciousness

• 3. Needs to learn to label changes as “high”

Addictive Behaviors Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D. Penn State Harrisburg.

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