addiction key terms

Question 1

Addiction

Answer 1

Taking a substance or engaging in a behaviour that is pleasurable but becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.

Question 2

Physical Dependence

Answer 2

An addict needs to engage in the behaviour to feel biologically ‘normal’. Without they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking or vomiting.

Question 3

Psychological Dependence

Answer 3

An addict needs to engage in the behaviour to feel psychologically ‘normal’. Without they will feel they can’t cope with everyday life, the addiction becomes a central part of their thoughts and can lead to psychological withdrawal such as anxiety.

Question 4

Tolerance

Answer 4

The brain adapts to maintain homeostasis, so more of the drug is needed to get the same response.

Question 5

Withdrawal Syndrome

Answer 5

The term for a collection of withdrawal symptoms.

Question 6

Initiation

Answer 6

Starting the addiction

Question 7

Maintenance

Answer 7

Continuing the addiction

Question 8

Relapse

Answer 8

Quitting then going back to the addiction.

Question 9

Homeostasis

Answer 9

Maintaining a constant environment in the body to work most efficiently at.

Question 10

Genetic Vulnerability

Answer 10

Born predisposition for a behaviour due to your genetics.

Question 11

D2 Receptors

Answer 11

The receptor in the brain for dopamine linked to movement, attention, sleep, memory and learning.

Question 12

Dopamine

Answer 12

A mood neurotransmitter, high levels are linked with a mild euphoric feeling.

Question 13

Self Medication Model

Answer 13

Using the addiction to cope with stressful experiences.

Question 14

Anti-Social Personality Disorder

Answer 14

A personality disorder linked to addiction, characterised by impulsive attitudes and engaging in rule breaking activities.

Question 15

Social Identity Theory

Answer 15

You identify with people who have similar to your own.

Question 16

Nicotine

Answer 16

The addictive substance in a cigarette .

Question 17

Down-regulation

Answer 17

Receptors in the brain are activated by a substance and can no longer be triggered.

Question 18

Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptor

Answer 18

The receptors in the brain for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which can also be triggered by nicotine.

Question 19

Upregulated

Answer 19

Receptors in the brain are now empty and sensitive to the effects of the neurotransmitter, can cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety agitation.

Question 20

Nucleus Accumbens

Answer 20

Part of the reward system (mesolimbic system) in the brain that is activated by the down regulation of the nicotine-acetylcholine receptors, leading to the release of dopamine.

Question 21

Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 21

Learning through the reinforcement of others.

Question 22

Partial Reinforcement

Answer 22

Behaviour is only reinforced some of the time.

Question 23

Variable Reinforcement

Answer 23

A type of partial reinforcement, the behaviour is reinforced unpredictably.

Question 24

Extinction

Answer 24

The behaviour (addiction) has stopped.

Question 25

Expectancy Theory

Answer 25

Believing the short-term benefits of the behaviour (addiction) outweighs the long-term cons.

Question 26

Cognitive Biases

Answer 26

Distortions in the way we think resulting in irrational judgements and poor decision making.

Question 27

Gamblers Fallacy

Answer 27

The belief that random events are influenced by recent events.

Question 28

Self-efficacy

Answer 28

The belief about the control you have over your own behaviour.

Question 29

Agonist Drugs

Answer 29

NRT - bind to receptor sites to give a similar response to the drug itself, acts as a drug substitute to help deal with withdrawal symptoms.

Question 30

Antagonist Drugs

Answer 30

Naltrexone - blocks the usual response that the addiction would give, so the addict doesn't get satisfaction.

Question 31

Aversion Therapy

Answer 31

Counter conditions by getting the addict to associate their addiction with a negative consequence.

Question 32

Covert Sensitisation

Answer 32

Counter conditions by getting the addict to associate their addiction with an imagined negative consequence.

Question 33

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Answer 33

Challenges the cognitive distortions with evidence (cognitive) and provides personalised skills training to help cope with real world situations (behavioural)

Question 34

Theory of Planned Behaviour

Answer 34

Three key factors motivate your intentions to change and your intentions lead to behaviour change. - personal attitudes - subjective norms perceived behavioural control

Question 35

Prochaska's Six Stage Model of Behavioural Change

Answer 35

Suggests addicts need to go through a cyclical process of 6 stages to change behaviour, that treatment needs to be tailored to the stage the addict is in.