The DSM describes many substance-related disorders, which occur when a person is intoxicated by, withdrawing from, using, abusing, or dependent on one or more drugs. Two common types of substance-related disorders are substance abuse and substance dependence.

Substance Abuse

The DSM defines substance abuse as a maladaptive pattern of drug use that results in repeated negative consequences such as legal, social, work-related, or school-related problems. A drug abuser may even use drugs in situations in which it is physically dangerous to do so.

Substance Dependence

Substance dependence, or drug addiction, involves continuing to use a drug despite persistent physical or psychological costs. A person who is addicted to drugs may make several unsuccessful attempts to give up the drug and may even develop tolerance for the drug. Tolerance is the gradual need for more and more of the drug to get the same effect. The person may also experience withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, nausea, muscle pain, shakiness, and irritability when he or she stops taking the drug.

Etiology of Substance-Dependence

Many researchers believe biology and environment interact to produce substance dependence.

Biological Influences

Several lines of research have examined genetic predispositions to drug dependence. Researchers think there may be a genetic predisposition to one particular type of alcoholism: the type that begins in adolescence and that is associated with impulsive, antisocial, and criminal behavior. With other types of alcoholism, many genes may interact to play a role.

Genes may influence traits such as impulsivity, which can make a person more likely to become alcoholic. Genes may also influence the level of dopamine in the brain. Researchers have suggested that high dopamine levels may in turn influence the susceptibility to alcoholism.

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