How Psychologists Define and Explain Substance Abuse

In order for psychologists to endeavour to define substance abuse,

'Substance' itself must be defined an in the context of psychology a

substance is defined as anything an individual may ingest that alters

mood, cognition or behaviour. Therefore there is clearly a long list

of substances including chocolate (known for changes in level of

neurochemical Serotonin) or Coffee (Stimulant). Hence the term

substance is more commonly referred to nicotine, alcohol, stimulants

(i.e. cocaine and Ecstacy) and depressants such as Heroin and Ecstacy.

There is distinction between Substance use and abuse. An individual

who can enjoy an alcoholic drink, for example, but in a context where

there is no dependency on the substance, such a scenario is regarded

with social acceptance. Complexities lie in stating at what point an

individual changes from using to abusing a substance. Substance abuse

is therefore most commonly associated with addiction. Sarafino states

an addiction to a substance usually consists of two elements: -

Physical and psychological. Physical dependency refers to the body

having adjusted to the substance and including it for 'regular'

functioning of body tissue. This then induces two effects, the first

being tolerance where the body adapts and requires larger dose of

substance to achieve similar effect. The second being, withdrawal

where the individual suffers from unpleasant side effects upon

abstaining from substance. Psychological dependency, (the second

element composed in addiction according to Sarafino) in which a person

feels a compulsion to use a substance or engage in behaviour for the

pleasant affect it produces and no...

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...to remember if information conveyed is

short but with impact. Also again according to the Yale model the

effects of persuasive communication tend to wear off over time,

however the negative effects of smoking are apparently better

remembered when audience participate therefore concluding with a group

discussion may provide to be a very useful exercise.

However we must take into account this issue of Social control, and

hence although we are trying to prevent the islanders from taking up

smoking, one should explain why people take up the habit and the

positive reinforcement they achieve from doing so, but simultaneously

be able to enhance the negativities associated with the activity. The

people should be able to make the decision for themselves without

social manipulation from the source from which they are learning.