15. Addiction Flashcards
What is meant by addiction?
Behaviour with harmful results over which an individual has impaired control
What is classical conditioning?
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired - a response which at first is elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone
This works even when the reinforcement is inconsistent
In drug usage - can result in a condition of craving/urge/need for the drug and cues such as syringes and pubs can trigger the conditioned response
What is operant conditioning?
Behaviour where learning is controlled by consequences - forms an association between a behaviour and its consequence i.e. if you do something and you receive a reward then you are more likely to do it again
Works via positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement - the speed of the reinforcement plays a role in this
Which region of the brain is involved in operant conditioning?
Core of the nucleus accumbens is one of the main places this occurs - release of dopamine in the nucleus due to e.g. sex, exercise, food intake
What is social learning?
This is where you do what others do e.g. copy role models or parents
There are genes that allow you to imitate what others do
What factors can alter an individual’s vulnerability to drug dependance?
Their sensitivity to positive drug effects
Their sensitivity to negative drug effects
Their personality e.g. those who are genetically predispositioned to take risks are more likely to experiment with drugs
Mental health - those with mental health disorders are more likely to take drugs
Absence of other sources of gratification - the more miserable your life, the more important drugs may become for you
What social and environment factors play a role in drug dependance?
Access to drugs - availability and cost
Social acceptance of drug use
Facilitation - group normalities
Which factors of the drugs themselves contribute to their addictiveness?
Speed of delivery
The concentration
The presence of other facilitating chemicals e.g. nicotine is not addicted by itself unless it is mixed with e.g. tobacco in cigarettes
What treatments can be used to overcome addiction?
Detoxification
Aversion therapies
Motivation therapies e.g. groups, AA
Cognitive behavioural
Drug substitutes e.g. heroin addicts given methadone to take away the criminal aspect of the drug and allow them to hold jobs and live lives
Treatment for withdrawal relief e.g. partial agonists
