Addictions Final Exam with Complete
Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions - ANS-Why do people keep using substances?
One thing that makes change so difficult is that the immediate effects of problematic
substance use tend to be positive. The person may feel good, have more confidence
and forget about his or her problems temporarily. The problems caused by substance
use might not be obvious for some time.
When the person uses substances to escape or change how he or she feels, using can
become a habit, which can be hard to break. Continued substance use, especially
heavy use, can cause changes in the body and brain. A person who develops physical
dependence and then stops using may experience distressing symptoms of withdrawal.
These changes may explain why people continue to crave the substance long after they
have stopped using, and why they may slip back into patterns of problematic use.
How do I know if I need treatment?
If you feel that substance use is causing problems in your life and that you are unable to
control your use, see a trained counsellor for an assessment. This assessment gathers
information about your use and related problems and other factors in your life, such as
your personal strengths and supports. This information will help you and your counsellor
decide whether you might benefit from treatment or other support.
One simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 Cs: - ANS-- Craving
- loss of Control of amount or frequency of use
- Compulsion to use
- use despite Consequences.
Signs & Symptoms of Addiction - ANS-- injuries while under the influence
- feelings of anxiety, irritability or depression
- trouble thinking clearly
- blackouts
- problems with relationships
- spending money on substances rather than on food, rent or other essentials
,- legal problems related to substance use
- loss of hope, feelings of emptiness
Causes & Risk Factors of Addiction - ANS-- Genetic factors: Some people may inherit a
vulnerability to the addictive properties of drugs.
- How drugs interact with the brain: People use alcohol and other drugs because they
stimulate the brain in ways that "feel good." This immediate rewarding experience
makes people want to repeat it. All substances with addictive potential stimulate the
release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is associated with reward and
pleasure.
- Environment: Peoples' home and community and the attitude of their peers, family and
culture toward substance use can influence whether or not they develop substance use
problems. People who experience prejudice or marginalization may use substances to
cope with feelings of trauma or social isolation.
- Mental health issues: More than 50 per cent of people with substance use disorders
have also had mental health problems at some point during their lifetimes. When people
have mental health problems, even limited substance use can worsen the problem.
- Coping with thoughts and feelings: People may turn to substances as a way of coping
with difficult emotions or situations. They start to rely on substances to regulate their
emotions
Risk factors for substance use problems in youth include: - ANS-- alcohol or other drug
problems among family members
- poor school performance
- poverty, family conflicts, chaos or stress
- having friends who drink or use drugs
- not fitting in socially or being excluded because of factors such as race, ethnicity,
gender, or sexual orientation
- emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- experiencing discrimination or oppression.
The protective factors for substance use problems include: - ANS-- having a positive
adult role model
,- good parental or other caregiver supervision
- having a strong attachment to family, school and community
- having goals and dreams
- being involved in meaningful, well-supervised activities (e.g., sports, volunteer work).
Diagnosis & Treatment - ANS-- Screening
- CAGE questions
- Treatment
- Self Help
- Harm Reduction
- Counseling
- Alcohol and other drug education
- Medications
- Withdrawal Management
- Other support and services
Screening - ANS-Screening questionnaires (e.g., the CAGE) can help to quickly identify
a substance use problem or determine the level of dependence.
CAGE questions: - ANS-1. Have you ever tried to Cut down on your drinking or other
drug use?
2. Have you ever felt Angry at or annoyed by someone else's comments about your
drinking or other drug use?
3. Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking or other drug use?
4. Have you ever used alcohol or other drugs as an Eye-opener—that is, have you used
first thing in the morning?
Once a substance use problem is identified or suspected, health care providers will ask
about:
- the degree of use
, - the consequences of use
- the patient's readiness to engage in treatment.
Treatment - ANS-There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to addiction treatment.
Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the severity and type of addiction; the
support available from family, friends and others; and the person's motivation to change.
Self Help - ANS-Some people with substance use problems are able to make changes
on their own using self-help materials (e.g., self-help books and websites).
-Self-help groups: Self help groups—also called mutual aid groups—support people
who are working to change their substance use. Many people participate in a self-help
group at the same time that they are in formal treatment. The oldest and largest self-
help organization is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, there are many self-help
groups with various philosophies and approaches for people with substance use
problems.
Harm reduction - ANS-To reach out to people who may not be ready, willing or able to
give up substances, some treatment programs have adopted a harm reduction
approach.
Examples of harm reduction strategies include:
- helping people learn safer ways to use substance
- helping people learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose
- providing clean needles and other injection equipment ("works") for injection drug use
(to reduce transmission of infections such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C through needle
sharing)
helping to ensure that people's basic needs, such as for food, shelter and medical care,
are met
- substituting a safer drug for the one a person is using (e.g., substituting methadone for
heroin)
Counselling - ANS-comes in a variety of forms, including individual, group, couples and
family therapy. Counselling generally aims to:
- increase people's awareness of how substance use affects their lives, what puts them
at risk of substance use and how to reduce substance use.
- help people examine their thoughts and emotions and learn how these inner
experiences affect how they behave, how they interact with others and how others see
them.
Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions - ANS-Why do people keep using substances?
One thing that makes change so difficult is that the immediate effects of problematic
substance use tend to be positive. The person may feel good, have more confidence
and forget about his or her problems temporarily. The problems caused by substance
use might not be obvious for some time.
When the person uses substances to escape or change how he or she feels, using can
become a habit, which can be hard to break. Continued substance use, especially
heavy use, can cause changes in the body and brain. A person who develops physical
dependence and then stops using may experience distressing symptoms of withdrawal.
These changes may explain why people continue to crave the substance long after they
have stopped using, and why they may slip back into patterns of problematic use.
How do I know if I need treatment?
If you feel that substance use is causing problems in your life and that you are unable to
control your use, see a trained counsellor for an assessment. This assessment gathers
information about your use and related problems and other factors in your life, such as
your personal strengths and supports. This information will help you and your counsellor
decide whether you might benefit from treatment or other support.
One simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 Cs: - ANS-- Craving
- loss of Control of amount or frequency of use
- Compulsion to use
- use despite Consequences.
Signs & Symptoms of Addiction - ANS-- injuries while under the influence
- feelings of anxiety, irritability or depression
- trouble thinking clearly
- blackouts
- problems with relationships
- spending money on substances rather than on food, rent or other essentials
,- legal problems related to substance use
- loss of hope, feelings of emptiness
Causes & Risk Factors of Addiction - ANS-- Genetic factors: Some people may inherit a
vulnerability to the addictive properties of drugs.
- How drugs interact with the brain: People use alcohol and other drugs because they
stimulate the brain in ways that "feel good." This immediate rewarding experience
makes people want to repeat it. All substances with addictive potential stimulate the
release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is associated with reward and
pleasure.
- Environment: Peoples' home and community and the attitude of their peers, family and
culture toward substance use can influence whether or not they develop substance use
problems. People who experience prejudice or marginalization may use substances to
cope with feelings of trauma or social isolation.
- Mental health issues: More than 50 per cent of people with substance use disorders
have also had mental health problems at some point during their lifetimes. When people
have mental health problems, even limited substance use can worsen the problem.
- Coping with thoughts and feelings: People may turn to substances as a way of coping
with difficult emotions or situations. They start to rely on substances to regulate their
emotions
Risk factors for substance use problems in youth include: - ANS-- alcohol or other drug
problems among family members
- poor school performance
- poverty, family conflicts, chaos or stress
- having friends who drink or use drugs
- not fitting in socially or being excluded because of factors such as race, ethnicity,
gender, or sexual orientation
- emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- experiencing discrimination or oppression.
The protective factors for substance use problems include: - ANS-- having a positive
adult role model
,- good parental or other caregiver supervision
- having a strong attachment to family, school and community
- having goals and dreams
- being involved in meaningful, well-supervised activities (e.g., sports, volunteer work).
Diagnosis & Treatment - ANS-- Screening
- CAGE questions
- Treatment
- Self Help
- Harm Reduction
- Counseling
- Alcohol and other drug education
- Medications
- Withdrawal Management
- Other support and services
Screening - ANS-Screening questionnaires (e.g., the CAGE) can help to quickly identify
a substance use problem or determine the level of dependence.
CAGE questions: - ANS-1. Have you ever tried to Cut down on your drinking or other
drug use?
2. Have you ever felt Angry at or annoyed by someone else's comments about your
drinking or other drug use?
3. Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking or other drug use?
4. Have you ever used alcohol or other drugs as an Eye-opener—that is, have you used
first thing in the morning?
Once a substance use problem is identified or suspected, health care providers will ask
about:
- the degree of use
, - the consequences of use
- the patient's readiness to engage in treatment.
Treatment - ANS-There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to addiction treatment.
Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the severity and type of addiction; the
support available from family, friends and others; and the person's motivation to change.
Self Help - ANS-Some people with substance use problems are able to make changes
on their own using self-help materials (e.g., self-help books and websites).
-Self-help groups: Self help groups—also called mutual aid groups—support people
who are working to change their substance use. Many people participate in a self-help
group at the same time that they are in formal treatment. The oldest and largest self-
help organization is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, there are many self-help
groups with various philosophies and approaches for people with substance use
problems.
Harm reduction - ANS-To reach out to people who may not be ready, willing or able to
give up substances, some treatment programs have adopted a harm reduction
approach.
Examples of harm reduction strategies include:
- helping people learn safer ways to use substance
- helping people learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose
- providing clean needles and other injection equipment ("works") for injection drug use
(to reduce transmission of infections such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C through needle
sharing)
helping to ensure that people's basic needs, such as for food, shelter and medical care,
are met
- substituting a safer drug for the one a person is using (e.g., substituting methadone for
heroin)
Counselling - ANS-comes in a variety of forms, including individual, group, couples and
family therapy. Counselling generally aims to:
- increase people's awareness of how substance use affects their lives, what puts them
at risk of substance use and how to reduce substance use.
- help people examine their thoughts and emotions and learn how these inner
experiences affect how they behave, how they interact with others and how others see
them.
