How are stress and substance abuse interrelated?
A. The neurotransmitters stimulated by many abused substances enhance the sense of well-being and cause the sensation of stress when the substance wears off.
B. Chronic substance abuse leads to destruction of brain cells in the limbic area, causing an increased intensity of the stress response.
C. Most abused substances are perceived by the body as physiologic stressors, which result in a heightened "fight-or-flight" response.
D. As tolerance or addiction develop, more of the abused substance is needed to achieve the same pleasurable responses.
A
Stimulation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system releases excitatory neurotransmitters that result in the expression of the stress response (tachycardia, increased mental awareness, insomnia, sense of danger or anxiety, dry mouth, "nervousness"). Most abused substances either inhibit the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system or enhance the secretion of neurotransmitters that allow pleasurable sensations to override stressful sensations. When the substance wears off, the stressful sensations reappear, driving the person to seek more drug to reduce the stressful sensations.
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