Addiction

Question 1

What are the 5 risk factors in addiction?

Answer 1

1. Personalities
2. Stress
3. Peer groups
4. Genetic influences
5. Family influences

Question 2

What does physical dependence mean in addiction?

Answer 2

A PHYSIOLOGICAL need for the drug, and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued e.g. the delirium tremors.
Due to DAILY usage over weeks/months, normal daily functioning becomes relaxant on the substance.

Question 3

What does TOLERANCE mean in addiction?

Answer 3

The user requires increased doses in order to obtain the same desired effect due to body’s adjustment or chronic use

Question 4

What is meant by PSYCHOLOGICAL dependence in addiction?

Answer 4

Person must continue to take the drug to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for the drug.
Individual feels as if they cannot cope without it and may feel anxious, irritable or depressed and have cravings for the drug.
Becomes central focus to a persons life

Question 5

What is metabolic tolerance?

Answer 5

Where enzymes responsible for the breakdown of drug are more effective at reducing its effect

Question 6

What does neuroadaptation mean ? ( tolerance )

Answer 6

Where changes at synapses occur.
E.g.may make receptors less sensitive or fewer in number; reducing the effect of drugs

Question 7

What is learned tolerance?

Answer 7

These result of practice as the person has learned to function normally under the influence of drugs and its effects.

Question 8

What does WITHDRAWAL mean in terms of addiction?

Answer 8

Unpleasant physical or psychological effects following discontinued use of a drug. Can include: shakes or tremors, vomiting, blood pressure/heart rate changes – depending on drug/behaviour.
These are the effects/consequence of the body reacting to cessation of the drug.
Often leads to relapse as withdrawal symptoms are intolerable.

Question 9

What are the two types of withdrawal?

Answer 9

1- acute withdrawal – within hours but usually stops within weeks
2- post acute withdrawal - brain slowly re-organises and balances, can take months/years

Question 10

What is a risk factor?

Answer 10

A risk factor is a variable associated with an increased risk of disease or infection

Question 11

What are the three super traits in personality that can explain addictive behaviours?

Answer 11

1. Extraversion- extrovert or chronically under aroused so may engage in addictive behaviours to gain stimulation and to raise arousal in the CNS.
2. Neuroticism- people with this trait experience negative effect (e.g. anxiety, low emotional stability and low stress tolerance) I may engage in addictive behaviours to alleviate tension through a form of self medication/to feel better
3. Psychoticism- relates to sensation seeking, impulsivity, being emotionally detached and antisocial.