3. Neurobiology and neuroanatqomy of drug use and psychopharmacology of addiction

Question 1

3 approaches to theories of drug addiction

Answer 1

biological
psychological
sociological

Question 2

biological approach theories (3-6)

Answer 2

brain disease - degradation of brain function and self-control abilities ; based on experimental observations and brain imaging

evolutionary theories
genetic theory
chronobiological control theory
metabolic insufficiency

Question 3

Limits and criticism of biological approach theories (3)

Answer 3

brain disease - other systems affect addiction, like immune and endocrine

• too reductionistic
• leads to the medicalizatiom of the phenomenon of addiction

Question 4

Psychological approach theories of addiction (5+2)

Answer 4

1. biopsychosocial
2. behavioral - learning theories (social learning, conditioned learning)
3. cognitive - self-control theories
4. psychoanalytic - defense mechanism against inferiority complex
5. existentialist/humanist - drugs to achieve normal states of awareness
6. social psychology - unconventionality
7. rational choice

Question 5

sociological approach theories (8/9)

Answer 5

1. anomy/strain
2. adaptation
3. social control
4. social influence
5. symbolic social interaction
6. subculture and cultural deviance
7. ecological view and disorganisation
8. conflict

Question 6

Criticisms of mono-level addiction theories (6)

Answer 6

1. reductionist approach applied to a multidimensional phenomenon
2. views drug use as inherently pathological and abnormal
3. juxtaposition with other aspects like poverty and crime
4. narrowing drug use to a western perspective, ignoring historical and cultural differences
5. ignore differences between addiction and drug use
6. view of addiction and drug use on an individual level but not on the social, collective level

Question 7

Main finding

Answer 7

To understand the multidimensional (bio-psycho-social) and multi-level (individual and social) phenomena of drug use and addiction requires multidimensional studies in individual, group, contextual, and macro dimensions.

Question 8

Explain how drugs work in the brain

Answer 8

Neurons send signals to each other through neurotransmitters. Drugs interfere with this by filling the brain with the neurotransmitter dopamine, which causes intense pleasure. It represents a reward - continuous drug use works on a reward system

Question 9

biological understanding of drug use

Answer 9

viewed as a brain disorder, which reduces stigma

SUD - psychiatric disorder of the brain

Question 10

Drug use in adolescents

Answer 10

exposure to drugs during crucial periods of development affects normal brain development and makes the brain more vulnerable to addiction