Addiction

Question 1

Definition of addiction

Answer 1

NHS- not having control over taking, doing or using something to the point it becomes harmful
BPS- psychological/physiological dependency on a particular substance/event

Question 2

Two types of addiction

Answer 2

Substance = drugs/alcohol
Behavioural = gambling/sex/porn

Question 3

DSM

Answer 3

Diagnostic manual used by professionals to diagnose mental illness - has a whole chapter for substance related addictive disorders

Question 4

Issues with the DSM

Answer 4

Only useful for diagnosing substance addiction and gambling but not other behavioural addiction

Question 5

Acronym for Griffiths opinion piece

Answer 5

When - withdrawal
Mr - mood modification
Smith - salience
Teaches - tolerance
Children - conflict
Run - relapse

Question 6

Salience

Answer 6

Addiction is the most important thing in someone’s life as it dominates thoughts, feelings and behaviour
E.g. if they weren’t actually gambling they’d spend their time scheming ways to make Mooney or thinking about when they can next gamble

Question 7

Mood modification

Answer 7

When engaging in addictive behaviour = mood changes e.g a high/buzz - using the addiction as a way to self medicate
Mood may change at different times
E.g. a smoker may use nicotine for a bus in the morning but for relaxation in the evening

Question 8

Tolerance

Answer 8

Over time they will need more of the drug/behaviour to achieve the same effects
E.g. regular gamblers heart rates decreased faster than non regular gamblers showing they need to start gambling again more quickly to achieve the same level of arousal

Question 9

Withdrawal symptoms

Answer 9

If addictive behaviour is stopped you with experience withdrawal - can be physical or psychological but generally associated with chemical addiction
E.g. insomnia when giving up nicotine or irritable without alcohol

Question 10

Conflict

Answer 10

2 types
Interpersonal = conflict between friends and family by compromising job/relationship to engage in addictive behaviour
Intrapsychic = they know in the self that they want to stop but struggle
E.g. breaking up with bf/gf or losing a job due to being drunk

Question 11

Relapse

Answer 11

Have a strong tendency to return to addictive behaviour even after years or after treatment - typical with chemical addictions
E.g. a smoker who hasn’t smoked in years has 1 cigarette whilst drunk and now is a active smoker despite once quitting