Addictive disorders characterized by a compulsive pattern of drug use and marked by both physical and psychological dependence on the substance. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is used by clinicians to diagnose drug use disorders. Individuals with these disorders often consume more of the substance than intended and persist in its use despite significant adverse consequences.

Substance Use Disorders

Psychologists have gained much of their understanding regarding the functions of neurotransmitters by researching how various drugs affect individuals with psychological disorders.

Neurotransmitters and Drugs

Analyze the following scenario. Based on the described behavioral and physiological effects, identify the most likely category of psychoactive substance involved. Then, explain the connection between these effects and the primary neurotransmitter system that this category of substance typically influences.

Analyzing Psychoactive Drug Effects

Analyze the following scenario. Explain how this case illustrates the connections between a drug's likely effect on a specific neurotransmitter system, the resulting changes in behavior and consciousness, and the criteria that might be used for a clinical diagnosis.

Integrated Analysis of Substance Use

A comprehensive understanding of substance-related topics involves three main areas: describing the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, identifying the specific neurotransmitter systems affected by different drug categories, and explaining how these drug categories influence behavior and conscious experience.

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Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders are characterized by abusing the activation of the brain reward system through certain behaviors or the use of pharmacological substances. This often results in a sense of increased pleasure, or a “high”, encouraging reinforcement of behaviors and actions that are detrimental to or neglectful of daily activities. Due to insufficient research, repetitive behaviors that have been coined as behavioral addictions (e.g., sex addiction, exercise addiction, or shopping addiction) are excluded from this chapter.

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The DSM-5-TR separates Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders into the following two distinct categories:
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Non-Substance Related "Addictive" Disorders


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