addiction key terms Flashcards
Addiction
Taking a substance or engaging in a behaviour that is pleasurable but becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.
Physical Dependence
An addict needs to engage in the behaviour to feel biologically ‘normal’. Without they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking or vomiting.
Psychological Dependence
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.
Tolerance
The brain adapts to maintain homeostasis, so more of the drug is needed to get the same response.
Withdrawal Syndrome
The term for a collection of withdrawal symptoms.
Initiation
Starting the addiction
Maintenance
Continuing the addiction
Relapse
Quitting then going back to the addiction.
Homeostasis
Maintaining a constant environment in the body to work most efficiently at.
Genetic Vulnerability
Born predisposition for a behaviour due to your genetics.
D2 Receptors
The receptor in the brain for dopamine linked to movement, attention, sleep, memory and learning.
Dopamine
A mood neurotransmitter, high levels are linked with a mild euphoric feeling.
Self Medication Model
Using the addiction to cope with stressful experiences.
Anti-Social Personality Disorder
A personality disorder linked to addiction, characterised by impulsive attitudes and engaging in rule breaking activities.
Social Identity Theory
You identify with people who have similar to your own.
Nicotine
The addictive substance in a cigarette .
Down-regulation
Receptors in the brain are activated by a substance and can no longer be triggered.
Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptor
The receptors in the brain for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which can also be triggered by nicotine.
Upregulated
Receptors in the brain are now empty and sensitive to the effects of the neurotransmitter, can cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety agitation.
Nucleus Accumbens
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.
Vicarious Reinforcement
Learning through the reinforcement of others.
Partial Reinforcement
Behaviour is only reinforced some of the time.
Variable Reinforcement
A type of partial reinforcement, the behaviour is reinforced unpredictably.
Extinction
The behaviour (addiction) has stopped.
Expectancy Theory
Believing the short-term benefits of the behaviour (addiction) outweighs the long-term cons.
Cognitive Biases
Distortions in the way we think resulting in irrational judgements and poor decision making.
Gamblers Fallacy
The belief that random events are influenced by recent events.
Self-efficacy
The belief about the control you have over your own behaviour.
Agonist Drugs
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.
Antagonist Drugs
Naltrexone - blocks the usual response that the addiction would give, so the addict doesn’t get satisfaction.
Aversion Therapy
Counter conditions by getting the addict to associate their addiction with a negative consequence.
Covert Sensitisation
Counter conditions by getting the addict to associate their addiction with an imagined negative consequence.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Challenges the cognitive distortions with evidence (cognitive) and provides personalised skills training to help cope with real world situations (behavioural)
Theory of Planned Behaviour
Three key factors motivate your intentions to change and your intentions lead to behaviour change.
- personal attitudes
- subjective norms
perceived behavioural control
Prochaska’s Six Stage Model of Behavioural Change
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.
