Addiction And Choice

Question 1

ICD-10

Answer 1

Need three of the following: compulsion, impulse control, withdrawal syndrome, or tolerance.
Operationalised as chronic and powerful motivation for use.

Question 2

Rational choice model

Answer 2

Users choose to take drugs as it is their best option. Their view of cost and benefit is altered. They see it as the only option. Loss of control is an illusion of the observer. Addicts focus on short term, drugs avoid withdrawal, emotions and help with mental illness.

Question 3

Criticism of rational choice

Answer 3

• most addicts want to quit
• ignores their motivation to begin use
• assumes addicts are well informed but this isn’t true.
• could lead to punishment focused laws

Question 4

Support for rational models

Answer 4

Success of contingency management

Davis 1997 if able to control and manipulate language and opinion of others then is an active choice.

Question 5

Affect heuristic

Answer 5

Make judgements with 2 separate brain systems. Intuitive bases choice on emotions. Analysis focuses on logic. Addicts over rely on intuitive system, they don’t consider the long term or risks.
If the shift is caused by drugs is it still a choice?

Question 6

Behavioural economics theory

Answer 6

Explains irrational choices. Behaviour is a function of reward value. Addicts experience a shift in perceived cost/reward. Increased cost decreases use. When rats have access to morphine when kept alone they use more and there’s increased benefit.