Addiction Flashcards
addiction today
Today we see addictions to heroin, gambling, sex, cocaine, cigarettes, alcohol, food (chocolate), caffeine, danger, phones, social media
addiction def
A disorder in which an individual takes a substance or engages in a
behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with
harmful consequences
Key features of addiction
- Dependence (physical and psychological)
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal syndrome
Dependence (physical) def
a state of the body due to habitual drug use which results in a withdrawal
syndrome when the use of the drug is reduced or stopped
dependence (physical)
We can only establish physical dependence once drug use has
stopped – we then can observe withdrawal symptoms
- Usually occurs after prolonged use of a substance (several weeks)
- Usually characterised by needed the drug to feel ‘normal’ – this does not necessarily mean they are addicted, they can just be
dependent
E.g. Meredith et al. (2013) – Caffeine dependence – caffeine withdrawal can include headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating – this can happen in those that drink just one regular cup of coffee a day
Dependence (psychological) def
A compulsion to continue taking a drug because the use is rewarding – it
becomes a central part of the individual’s thoughts, emotions and activities
Dependence (psychological)
Occurs when the drug leads to either an increase in pleasure
or decrease in discomfort
This can lead to the individual continuously taking the drug
until it becomes a habit, despite any harmful consequences
E.g. cravings – once cravings develop a person can begin to
feel anxious if cravings are not met and they may feel unable
to cope
The desire to use the drug can become so intense it can take
over thought processes completely
Tolerance def
A reduction in the response to a drug, so that the addicted individual needs
more to get the same effect
tolerance
Tolerance is caused by repeated previous exposure to the
effects of a drug. E.g. heroin addiction, sleeping pills, pain
killers
Examples:
Learned tolerance: when an individual learns to function
normally when under the influence of a drug – resulting in a
reduced effect
Metabolic tolerance: enzymes metabolise the drug more
efficiently over time – resulting in lower concentrations in the
blood, reducing its effect
Cross-tolerance: developing tolerance to one drug can reduce
sensitivity to another drug – e.g. the sleep-inducing effects of
alcohol leads to patients needing higher doses of anaesthetic
Metabolic tolerance
enzymes metabolise the drug more
efficiently over time – resulting in lower concentrations in the
blood, reducing its effect
Cross-tolerance
developing tolerance to one drug can reduce
sensitivity to another drug – e.g. the sleep-inducing effects of
alcohol leads to patients needing higher doses of anaesthetic
Withdrawal syndrome def
A set of symptoms that develop when the addicted person abstains from or reduces their drug use
Symptoms are usually opposite to the ones created by the drug – they also indicate when physical dependence has developed
exmple of withdrawl symptoms
withdrawal symptoms from nicotine include irritability, anxiety, increased appetite and weight gain
Withdrawal usually takes place in two phases:
Acute withdrawal – after a few hours of abstinence the person experiences intense cravings (sign of dependence)
Prolonged withdrawal – symptoms that continue after weeks, months or years due to becoming sensitive to cues they associate with the substance (causing relapse)
Explain how withdrawal might occur in someone who isn addicted to nicotine. Give two examples of the effects of
withdrawal. (4 marks)
- when nictotine is removed form their system they will experience withdrawl symptoms, which is when a person experienes unpleasant effects when avoiding the substance they are addicted to
- this may include weight gain, anxiety
- the addicted individual may induge in nicotine to avoid these withdrawl effects
Using your knowledge of addiction, explain Nia and Aodhagan’s
behaviours. (4 marks)
Nia is displaying physical dependence and withdrawal syndrome. Nausea and anxiety are withdrawal symptoms of not taking heroin. Experiencing these after just 12 hours of not taking heroin suggests that she has a physical dependence and will continue to use heroin to reduce the symptoms.
Aodhagen is displaying tolerance and psychological dependence. Starting with scratch cards but now spending
most time in the casino suggests he needs to gamble more than he used to, to feel the effects he initially felt. His strong
urge to gamble when he feels down suggests he relies on gambling to feel normal, which is psychological dependence.
Risk factors def
Any internal and external influence that increases the likelihood someone
will start using drugs or engage in addictive behaviours
Risk factors examples
- Genetics
- Stress
- Personality
- Family influences
- Peers
Effects of nicotine
Nicotine is the main active ingredient of tobacco – the
addictive ingredient
It has been found to have both stimulant and relaxation
effects on the body – known as the ‘nicotine paradox’
This has been explained as smoking only appears as
relaxing
It in fact has more stimulant effects, such as increased
alertness and improved cognitive functioning
However, Jarvis (2004) found that these effects are less
evident in regular smokers (tolerance built up)
nicotine paradox
It has been found to have both stimulant and relaxation effects on the body
This has been explained as smoking only appears as relaxing
Dopamine
Generally excitatory and associated with feelings of pleasure. Very low levels are associated with depression
Dopamine
Nicotine is known to effect the dopamine reward system – the brain’s reward pathway
- 1-2mg of nicotine is inhaled per cigarette on average
- It is absorbed through the inside of the mouth, nose and lungs
- Nicotine reaches its peak levels in the brain and bloodstream in less than 10 seconds
- Nicotine then becomes addictive as it reaches the reward pathways in the brain
Brain neurochemistry
The main chemical (neurotransmitter) involved in nicotine addiction
dopamine
link between dopamine and addiction
But the link between dopamine and addiction is best explained with the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh)