Addiction Flashcards
Psychological dependence
Describes the emotional and mental processes that are associated with the development and recovery from a substance use disorder or process addiction
Physical dependance
When a drug has been chronically used so often the body and developed tolerance to the substance and the person suffers withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug
DSM-5
A criteria to be diagnosed with substance dependance
DSM indicators
2 in 12 months
- Taking substance in larger amounts
- Wanting to cut down
- Cravings and urges to use the substance
- Giving up important social, occupational or recreational activities due to substance use
- Development of withdrawal symptoms
DSM-5 Alcohol
2 Symptoms
- Craving for alcohol
- Missing work or school
- Trying to give up without success
- Drink in hazardous
Tolerance
The need to take higher levels of substance to get the same physical and psychological effects
2 types of tolerance
Metabolic - Substance is metabolised quicker and therefore leaves the body quicker
Cellular - when there are changes in the responsiveness of the neurons
Withdrawal syndrome
The reaction psychologically and physically of an Individual when they no longer have a substance in their system
The drug used - Shorter half life, more intense the withdrawal
Amount consumed - more consumed, greater withdrawal
Drug use pattern - more frequent, greater withdrawal
Risk factors
Genetic vulnerability Stress Personality Family influences Peers
Genetic vulnerability
The idea that someone may be more likely to be addict because of their genetic make up addicted if they not exposed to the substance or the opportunity within their environment
Stress
Turning to behaviours and drugs that give temporary relief from stress is sort of coping mechanism
Personality
Cause and effect difficult to establish
People who have pathological personalities are more likely to become addicts because of the drug or behaviour they are addicted to initially offers them a relief
Addictive personality
Eysenck (1997) outlines a model that suggested that addictions occur because of personality type and the needs of the personality
Family influences
Social learning
Learning of behaviour by observation of role models
Vicarious reinforcement
Expectancies
Association we make from observing the environment around us
Peers
Choice of peer group is influenced in addiction eg allows easier access to the focus of the addiction and peers non judgemental
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal
Intense cravings Tingling in the hands and feet Sweating Nausea Headaches
Explanations of nicotine
Brain neurochemistry
Learning theory
Brain neurochemistry : Role of dopamine
Dopamine is implicates in addiction as the addictive substance - through the boosting activity of brain reward system, pleasurable feeling meaning indisputable tempted to take drug again or repeat the behaviour
Learning theory : Social learning theory
An individual observed a role model smoking and experience
Operant conditioning - due to a positive reinforcement that nicotine induces.
Cues reactivity - example of classical conditioning where objects and environments become conditioned stimuli
Explanations for gambling
Learning theory
- Partial and variable reinforcement
- Social learning
- Cognitive theory:Cognitive bias
Reducing addiction
- Drug therapy
- Behavioural interventions :
- Aversion therapy and covert sensitisation
- CBT
Drug therapy
Biological method for treating addiction is most commonly used with addiction to drugs such as alcoholic and heroin
Behavioural interventions
Aversion therapy - a treatment used to reduce addictive behaviour broadly used on classical conditions
Covert sensitisation -based on principles of aversion therapy but just imagination not throwing up
Partial and variable reinforcement
Fixed rate reinforcement - eg every third time out of 10
Variable ratio - no win pattern
Fixed intervals - eg every 20 seconds
Variable intervals - no fixed internal patterns
Social learning gambling addiction
Classical conditioning - positive association is made of lights and sounds of casino
Cognitive theory for addiction
Cognitive bias sees problem behaviour as a result of cognitive distortions and maladaptive thought processes
