Psychology 2035A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Psychological Dependence, Drug Tolerance, Constipation

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2035A/B
• Professor: Alvin Segal

Document Summary

Application: understanding the effects of drugs: explain the concepts of drug tolerance, physical and psychological dependence, and overdose. Recreational drugs usually fall into one of six common categories : Narcotics, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, marijuana and ecstasy (mdma) Most drugs produce tolerance effects---a progressive decrease in a person"s responsiveness to a drug with continued use. Users may also develop a physical and/or psychological dependence on a drug. Physical dependence : exists when a person must continue to take a drug to avoid withdrawal illness (which occurs when the drug use is terminated). Withdrawal illness also abstinence syndrome ----vary physical reaction depends on the drugs. Psychological dependence : exists when a person must continue to take a drug to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for it. An overdose : an excessive dose of a drug that can seriously threaten one" s life: summarize the main effects and risks of narcotics, sedatives, stimulant drugs, and hallucinogens.