Addiction Approaches S&G Flashcards
Biological model
smoking initiation
acetylcholine receptors stimulated by nicotine produce dopamine -> mesolimbic pathway -> pleasure
A1 variant of DRD2 gene - less dopamine receptors
Vink 44% a result of genetic factors
Biological Maintenance
continued exposure to addictive behaviour leads to down regulation - dopamine reward circuits (acetylcholine receptors) less sensitive, forcing addict to engage frequently
withdrawal symptoms if don’t continue to engage frequently
(in gambling their is down regulation in cortisol levels as well as dopamine levels)
(in smoking Vink claimed dependence 75% result of genetics), although prenatal exposure also increases risk of dependence
biological
relapse
due to down regulation (desensitisation) lack of pleasure in normal life - feel need for addiction
changes in judgement and decision making as a result of neural connection alterations brain overly preoccupied - neural connections made between drug and stimuli (worse if young)
Body likes to maintain equilibrium, adjust chemicals to account for addictive thingy - . Presence of triggers causes body to anticipate drug (like Pavlov) and therefore disrupt equilibrium in anticipation making withdrawal symptoms and cravings even stronger.
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
EVALUATION
OTHER APPROACHES/ FACTORS - SHARPE
REAL LIFE IMP - genetic screening, bio therapy - like NRT, avoid triggers (Robbin)
genes explain some individual diffs in addiction initiation (Black, Vink 44%), maintenance (Black, Vink 75%) and quit failure (Xian 54% smoking)
determinist and reductionist
Biological model of addiction
Gambling initiation
Black found that 1st degree relatives of pathological gamblers more likely to have gambling prob - suggests genetics
A1 variant of DRD2 gene - fewer dopamine receptors
thrill of gambling -> dopamine in mesolimbic pathways creates pleasure, reward. Dop reward pathway connected to areas of brain associated with behaviour and memory…repeat
Learning Approach
gambling initiation A01
Initiation: Operant cond - Griffiths argues physiological rewards such as endorphins & adrenaline rush, financial rewards, near misses and social rewards such as praise. Gamblers place greater weight on wins (and thrill, escapism can come without winning)
Skinner - with rats, behaviour repeated more often if result varied. Limiting reinforcement can make compulsion stronger
Learning
smoking initiation
popularity as positive reinforcer
dopamine caused pleasure as a positive reinforcer
(SLT explains why individuals try the behaviour)
Learning maintenance
gambling
People continue to gamble due to intermittent reinforcement of winning, alongside the rewards of escapism and adrenaline (and possibly social approval Lambos: prob gamblers had peers and fams that approved).
They become used to long periods with no financial reward
Skinner - sporadic reinforcement on rats made them more addicted (extrapolation)
Negative reinforcement - removal of withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, sleeplessness, restlessness)
Learning
maintenance
Smoking
Operant conditioning - reward of dopamine -pleasure (although not as strong unless dosage increased)
negative reinforcement - removal of withdrawal symptoms, reduced stress, anxiety, insomnia etc…
classical conditioning - associating addictive behaviour with pleasure
Pavlov’s dogs - triggers become associated with chemical changes, throws body into disequilibrium
Learning
relapse
classical cond- triggers disrupt equilibrium - withdrawal and craving worsen
Operant conditioning - withdrawal bad - negative reinforcement
Learning
evaluation
All: Sharpe - other factors, individual diffs,
Initiation: not all become addicts (robinson)
maintenance: skinner, evolutionary theory ‘on average’ beneficial - but it’s not beneficial on average… faulty perception, greater emphasis on winning also must play a role according to Delfabbro and Winefield, escapism from disasters caused by gambling?, Lambos - social reinforcement, those with peeps who approved planning to gamble in future… only planning not actual behaviour
Relapse: treatment implications, Robins - vietnam, individual diffs
cognitive
initiation
self medication model (Gelkopf): addiction is intentionally selected to treat psychological symptoms. The addiction helps fulfil three major functions: performance management, mood regulation and distraction.
Expectancy theory (Brandon): expectation of the positives v. negatives/ costs and benefits. Brandon found smokers thought smoking would decrease the intensity of their negative mood
Cognitive
maintenance
Gambling: Irrational beliefs in their ability to win and influence the outcome (illusions of control). Gamblers’ fallacy, just world hypothesis. Griffiths - cognitive bias in fruit machines.
Smoking: irrational beliefs - smoking decreases stress, Brandon - addiction based on unconscious expectations. Expectations can be manipulated - Tate
Cognitive
relapse
Gambling - recall bias (underestimating or rationalising losses) remembering wins and thrill, not dwelling on ‘current - bad run’ Moreover, having lost on previous occasions they may feel the deserve to win (just world hyp) and will eventually be rewarded for their efforts.
Smoking- Tate, assessing costs and benefits (TPB research) Perception of pros and cons has been found to control quitting behaviour
Congitive
evaluation
Implications for treatment and prevention - re-education,
deal with underlying problem (although is underlying prob actually cause or effect), Li found gamblers gamble to escape
Sharpe - other exp (fills in gaps in learning exp
Too rational loss of control (depends who you talk to)
Individual diffs
Theory of planned behaviour supports
