Addiction Flashcards
Define addiction
Behaviour with harmful results over which one has impaired control
Why is addiction a social construct
Because abnormal drug use varies with social groupings, geographic location and time in history
Name 3 psychological mechanisms involved in drug dependence
Classical conditioning and operant learning
Personality and mental health factors
Social and environmental factors
What is classical conditioning?
Neutral stimulus can elicit response if associated with unconditioned stimulus (dog salivates at sound of bell if it normally rings at dinner time)
How is classical conditioning thought to be involved in drug addiction
Cues such as syrings, pubs can trigger conditioned craving and relapse
What is the fundamental difference between classic and operant conditioning
Classical conditioning forms association between 2 stimuli
Operant conditioning forms association between behaviour and its consequences
What is meant by automatic behaviour
Behaviour leading to central reward gets activated in circumstance in which reward was attained with same behaviour previously
What are the ‘positive reinforcers’ in drug taking
Pleasurable sensation
Satisfaction of biological needs
Social reinforcement
What are the negative reinforcers in drug taking
Reduction of habitual stress level
Reduction of acute distress
Reduction of withdrawal symptoms
Define negative reinforcement
Behaviour that stops or avoids negative sensations is likely to be repeated
What medications can be given as drug substitutes
Methadone
NRT
What medications can be given to treat withdrawal
Clonidine
What antagonist and agonist can manage alcohol addiction
Antagonist= naltrexone Agonist= varenicline
