3.1.1 Characteristics of Addiction

Question 1

rather than talk about addiction what do the WHO prefer to talk about?

Answer 1

dependence

Question 2

what does “dependence” involve?

Answer 2

strong desire, issues controlling use, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance and continuation

Question 3

the word addiction comes from the Latin “addicere” what does this mean? why does addiction have this meaning

Answer 3

to sentence

like a prison sentence you cant escape the addiction you are enslaved to it

Question 4

when is a behaviour classed as an addiction?

Answer 4

when it is repetitive, hard to stop, provides short term happiness and relapses occur

Question 5

what are some types of addiction people can have?

Answer 5

exercise addict
food addict
gambling addict
smoking addict
drug addict
alcohol addict
shopping addict

Question 6

what does an addiction cover and who can it affect?

Answer 6

a wide range of behaviours

can affect those of all sexes, races and ages

Question 7

summarise how Marlatt et al explained addiction:

Answer 7

repetitive behaviour
can cause health, personal and social problems
experience relapses and loss of control
immediate gratification
long term implications

Question 8

what did Walter’s define addiction as being?

Answer 8

the persistent and repetitious enactment of behaviour

Question 9

what are the 4 p’s Walter referred to?

Answer 9

perceived loss of control
preoccupation with behaviour
progression to higher tolerance
persistence despite negative consequences

Question 10

what were the 6 criteria Griffiths identified if a behaviour was to be seen as addictive?

Answer 10

Salience
Mood modification
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Conflict
Relapse

Question 11

what does Salience involve?

Answer 11

the activity becoming the most important thing in the individuals life - dominating their thoughts and feelings

Question 12

give an example of salience in relation to gambling:

Answer 12

a gambler will spend time gambling or working out how to get the money to gamble

Question 13

which of Walter’s 4 P’s does salience link to?

Answer 13

preoccupation with behaviour

Question 14

what is mood modification?

Answer 14

instant gratification from the activity leading the individual to feel a buzz or numbing
makes the person repeat the behaviour despite negative consequences to get the same buzz

Question 15

give an example of mood modification in relation to drugs:

Answer 15

a drug addict will keep doing drugs for the buzz that they get

Question 16

which of Walter’s 4 P’s does mood modification link to?

Answer 16

Persistence despite negative consequences

Question 17

what is tolerance?

Answer 17

the person increasing the amount of activity they do in order to experience the same feeling

Question 18

give an example of tolerance in relation to alcohol:

Answer 18

an alcoholic will drink more in order to get the same feeling

Question 19

which of Walter’s 4 P’s does tolerance link to?

Answer 19

progression to a higher tolerance

Question 20

what do withdrawal symptoms involve?

Answer 20

a person experiencing unpleasant feelings and physical effects when the activity is reduced or stopped

Question 21

give an example of withdrawal symptoms in relation to a shopping addiction:

Answer 21

experiencing negative feelings or emotions when they cant shop and get the gratification

Question 22

which of the 4 P’s does withdrawal symptoms link to?

Answer 22

progression and persistence

Question 23

what does conflict involve?

Answer 23

conflict occurs between the individual and others as a result of the addictive behaviour, yet the individual persists despite the negative consequences

Question 24

give an example of conflict in relation to smoking:

Answer 24

family members may conflict with the individual due to the health problems smoking causes

Question 25

which of the 4 P’s does conflict link to?

Answer 25

persistence despite negative consequences

Question 26

what does relapse involve?

Answer 26

an individual going back repeatedly to a particular behaviour even after being without

Question 27

give an example of relapse in relation to food addiction:

Answer 27

a person may loose a lot of weight and then go back to the addictive behaviour (eating)

Question 28

Michael is addicted to gambling, how does his addiction link to the biological approach?

Answer 28

neurotransmitters - high levels of dopamine are associated with addiction, this makes him feel good so he keeps gambling to get the feeling

Question 29

Michael is addicted to gambling, how does his addiction link to the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 29

Michael has a dominant id which requires instant gratification as a result Michael keeps gambling, he may also use the ego defence mechanism of denial

Question 30

Michael is addicted to gambling, how does his addiction link to the behaviourist approach?

Answer 30

operant conditioning - positive reinforcement, Michael gets a mood boost when he gambles this positive feeling moves him to repeat the behaviour