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

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

Answer 2

to sentence

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

Question 3

what are some types of addiction people can have?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what does an addiction cover and who can it affect?

Answer 4

a wide range of behaviours

can affect those of all sexes, races and ages

Question 5

summarise how Marlatt et al explained addiction:

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what did Walter’s define addiction as being?

Answer 6

the persistent and repetitious enactment of behaviour

Question 7

what are the 4 p’s Walter referred to?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Salience
Mood modification
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Conflict
Relapse

Question 9

what does Salience involve?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

give an example of salience in relation to gambling:

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

preoccupation with behaviour

Question 12

what is mood modification?

Answer 12

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 13

give an example of mood modification in relation to drugs:

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Persistence despite negative consequences

Question 15

what is tolerance?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

give an example of tolerance in relation to alcohol:

Answer 16

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

Question 17

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

Answer 17

progression to a higher tolerance

Question 18

what do withdrawal symptoms involve?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

progression and persistence

Question 21

what does conflict involve?

Answer 21

conflict occurs between the individual and others as a result of the addictive behaviour (intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts) , yet the individual persists despite the negative consequences

Question 22

give an example of conflict in relation to smoking:

Answer 22

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

persistence despite negative consequences

Question 24

what does relapse involve?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

give an example of relapse in relation to food addiction:

Answer 25

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

Question 26

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

Answer 26

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

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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 28

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

Answer 28

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