Материал: Глебова Е.И. - Английский язык для медицинских специалистов, 2012

substances and process addictions. Addictive substances are depressants like opioids, sedatives, or hypnotics, stimulants, hallucinogens and inhalants. Process addictions include eating disorders, compulsive gambling, compulsive sexual disorders, compulsive shopping and compulsive Internet use.

As for substance abuse disorders, they are defined as behavioral changes associated with regular substance abuse that affects the central nervous system. Substance dependence is a pattern of repeated use of a substance, which usually results in tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking behavior. The patient takes substances in larger amounts and over longer periods of time than intended. The patient has the desire to cut out but has unsuccessful efforts to decrease or discontinue the use. Daily activities revolve around the use of the substance.

The need for increased amount of the substance to achieve the desired effect is called substance tolerance. Substance withdrawal occurs when blood levels decrease in an individual with prolonged heavy use of a substance.

One of the most widespread substance abuse disorders is alcoholism. It is a huge problem in Russia that causes antisocial behavior, disabilities and deaths of thousands of people. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant affecting all body tissues. Physical dependence is a biological need for alcohol to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependence is a craving for the subjective effect of alcohol.

There can be different etiological factors leading to addictions. Let’s look at some of them. Genetic risk is the first one. It is known that children of alcoholics have three times higher tolerance and occurrence of addiction over children of nonalcoholic parents.

Secondly, psychosocial risk takes place. Individuals with certain personality traits are thought to be susceptible to addictive behavior.

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Individuals who have lived with painful experiences are at risk to selfmedicate or misuse their medication.

Thirdly, environmental risk is essential. According to the learning social theory, the use of addictive substances is a learned behavior. Engaging in addictive behavior is influenced by exposure to peer pressure, role models, and social norms.

A patient who uses substances may have different symptoms. Loss of consciousness can be related to a person’s use of alcohol or other substances. Persons using alcohol or drugs frequently can experience changes in bowel movement. Changes range from diarrhea because of drinking to constipation from using pain medications frequently. Patients regularly may experience weight loss or gain and/or poor nutritional balance. Stress can precipitate an increase in drinking. Stress can also result from drinking or using drugs regularly. People using alcohol and/or other drugs experience all sorts of sleep problems. One may start using alcohol to promote sleep, but once someone develops tolerance, sleep is more difficult.

At acute stage of abuse, care of the person during intoxication should be provided. The focus is on safety of the person. Doctors should maintain safe environment; orient the patient to time, place, and person; maintain adequate nutrition and fluid balance, monitor for beginning of withdrawal sings and symptoms. At rehabilitative stage of abuse, the focus is on teaching about the disease and recovery process and building the person’s motivation of abstinence, lifestyle changes, and recovery.

1.What process addictions can you name?

2.Define “substance dependence”.

3.Explain the term “substance withdrawal”.

4.What do you know about alcohol abuse?

5.List etiological factors in developing substance abuse disorders.

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6.What are the main symptoms of different types of substance

abuse?

7.What is the most important thing at acute stage of the disorder?

8.What should doctor pay attention to at rehabilitative stage?

Task 4. Are these statements true (T) or false (F)? If the statement is false, correct the statement.

1.Alcohol is an addictive substance causing physical and psychological dependence.

2.Among process addictions in the developed countries there is such an up-to-date addiction as compulsive Internet use.

3.There is no difference between physical and psychological dependence.

4.The primary etiological factor of addiction is an environmental

risk.

5.Substance tolerance is thought to be biological need for alcohol.

GRAMMAR

Task 5. Complete the sentences using Passive Voice with the following verbs: precipitate by, devide into, influence by, characterize by, define as.

1.Addictions ______________ additive substances and process addictions.

2.Substance abuse disorders _______________ behavioral changes associated with regular substance abuse.

3.Substance dependence _________________ repeated use of a substance which usually results in tolerance and withdrawal.

4.Engaging in additive behavior ______________ exposure to peer pressure.

5.In alcohol abusers increase in drinking ______________ stress.

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4.Smoking

VOCABULARY and PRONUNCIATION

Task 1. Read out.

 READING and SPEAKING

Task 2. Warm-up discussion.

Are you an active or passive smoker? Why do so many people nowadays smoke cigarettes? Why do medical specialists smoke if they no a lot about possible harmful effects? What programmes should be used to decrease smoking in our country?

Task 3. Read the text and answer the questions.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for our health. Each time a smoker lights up, that single cigarette takes about 5 to 20 minutes off the person’s life.

Why do people start smoking? There are no physical reasons to start smoking. The body doesn’t need tobacco; it needs food, water, sleep, and exercise. Nevertheless, there could be different psychological reasons to

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