Addiction

Question 1

Risk Factors: AO1.

Answer 1

Genetic vulnerability: Slutske et al: monozygotic twins have a higher rate of being pathological gamblers.
Vink et al: 75% influenced by genetic factors for nicotine addiction.
Blum and Payne: lack of dopamine, decreased ability to activate receptors.
Stress: Gelkopf et al: intentional use - self medication.
Dawes et al: predictor of relapse. Robins: soldiers returning from Vietnam.
Personality: Krueger et al: sensation seeking and impulsivity.
Barnes et al: personality predicts severity and likelihood of remission.
DeJong et al: one personality disorder in 91% of polydrug users.

Question 2

Risk Factors: AO3.

Answer 2

Gender differences: women’s research has been inconsistent.
Genetic vulnerability.
Matheny and Weatherman: 263 smokers, coping program to deal with stress, predicts ability to abstain.
Labouvie and McGee: higher alcohol abuse, higher impulsivity. Correlation between addiction and personality.
No association between alcohol and stress.

Question 3

Family and Peer Influence: AO1.

Answer 3

Parental: adolescents with substance abusing parents are more likely to abuse. Gambling is gendered: female - machines, bingo, males - sports betting.
Authoritative parenting: lowering substance abuse.
Sibling: older sibling abuse, stronger than parental.
Peer: social identity theory: self concepts formed as a result of groups, smokers befriend smokers.

Question 4

Describing Addiction.

Answer 4

Physical: tolerance increased, withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological: central to thoughts, emotions and activities. Cravings.

Tolerance: metabolic - prolonged use changes receptor density. Learned.

Withdrawal: acute: physical cravings. Post-acute: emotional and psychological.