B2- Physiological Addiction Flashcards
Physiological addiction
Each addiction consists of:
- initiation
- maintenance
- relapse
Initiation
why people begin an addiction
Maintenance
why people continue in their addiction
Relapse
why people go back to their addiction after trying to quit
Smoking
- Biological Approach
Initiation:
- genetic predisposition
- dopamine receptors
Maintenance + Relapse
- role of dopamine
- nicotine regulation
- withdrawal symptoms
- tolerance
Genetic Predisposition
(initiation)
- genes may be a risk factor for nicotine addiction
- genetic influences contribute to 50% of the risk of taking up smoking
Dopamine
Dopamine is the brains pleasure chemical and is associated with most addictive substances
Dopamine Receptors
(initiation)
Nicotine molecules attach to dopamine receptors which causes a release dopamine in the brain,
- the release of dopamine causes a buzz which gets smokers ‘hooked’
Role of Dopamine
(Maintenance + Relapse)
smoker continue to smoke because nicotine molecules continue to attach to receptors and release dopamine
Nicotine Regulation
(maintenance + relapse)
people continue to smoke to keep constant levels of nicotine in their blood
- this is so they can maintain the buzz feeling and to avoid withdrawal symptoms (negative reinforcement)
Withdrawal symptoms
(maintenance + relapse)
after finishing a cigarette, withdrawal symptoms will start to appear and the smoker will have another cigarette to avoid these symptoms
Tolerance
(maintenance + relapse)
constant stimulation reduces sensitivity of dopamine, so the smoker will smoke more to achieve the ‘buzz’ sensation they used to get.
Evaluation
- strength
Evidence for nicotine regulation theory
- a study gave smokers cigarettes containing lower amount of nicotine than usual, they respond by smoking more to make up for the nicotine deficit
- this shows regulation theory is valid as the findings match
Evaluation
- weakness
Evidence against nicotine regulation
- not everyone regulates their nicotine levels
- people who smoke 5 a day regularly show no withdrawal symptoms or addiction, they may have learned by observing others instead
- this suggests some people smoke for non-biological reasons
Smoking
- Learning approach
Initiation
- vicarious reinforcement
- positive reinforcement
Maintenance
- negative reinforcement
- classical conditioning
Relapse
- conditioned cues
- self- efficacy
Vicarious Reinforcement
(initiation)
a person observes a smoker gaining satisfaction + pleasure from smoking
- this makes it more likely they’ll begin smoking as they expect the same rewards
Positive Reinforcement
(initiation)
if the consequence of a behaviour is desirable, it will be repeated
Nicotine is a powerful reinforcer through physiological effects of dopamine reward
- enjoyable sensations reward smoking, so they’re likely to continue smoking
Negative Reinforcement
(maintenance)
a desirable consequence by the removal of something unpleasant
- impatient + anxious feelings
- withdrawal symptoms
They relieve these symptoms by smoking. This is negatively reinforcing because it stops unpleasant sensations
Classical Conditioning
(maintenance)
smoker learns to associate smoking sensations with pleasurable effects
- smells, taste of smoking
- so these sensations become conditioned stimuli, which is capable of triggering a response without delivery of nicotine to the brain.
Self- efficacy
(relapse)
a persons confidence in their ability to stop smoking
- someone with low self- efficacy may make less effort to quit expect relapse and fail to seek support
Conditioned Cues
- Primary reinforcers
- Secondary reinforcers
Primary reinforcers
pleasurable effects of smoking, dopamine reward act as reinforcer
Secondary reinforcers
objects, people, places
- this causes an experience of pleasurable response they once got from cigarettes
- this then triggers a craving that is impossible to resist
Evaluation
- strength
Support for the role of conditioned cues
- studies presented smokers and non smokers with images of smoke related cues. The smokers reacted strongly + reported high levels of cravings.
- These findings are consistent with predictions about conditioned cues showing nicotine addicts do respond to cues
Evaluation
- another strength
Real life applications
- several treatment programmes such as aversion therapy
- electric shocking smokers whilst smoking can be effective to ensure it is negatively associated
- reduces NHS spending and improves quality of life
Evaluation
- weakness
A limited explanation
- some people do not take up smoking even after observing
- only 50% get addicted
- other factors must be involved
Alcohol
- Cognitive Approach
Initiation
- mitigation
- specificity
Maintenance
- assumptions
- stress relief
Relapse
- counterproductive
- increase of stress
- cycle of distress
Mitigation for current issue
(initiation)
someone has childhood trauma =
may develop mental disorder =
experience emotional disorder =
relieve symptoms by drinking, to manage psychological pain, and become emotionally stable
Specificity
(initiation)
- the choice of drug is specific to your specific state
- the choice is an outcome of experimenting of other drugs
e.g. alcohol is often used by people with anxiety as it has relaxing effects
Managing the problem
(maintenance)
Alcohol addicts use alcohol as a short- term soother to self medicate, as the effects are temporary, the user will continue to use as they feel they cant manage without
- this is how the user progresses from use to addiction
Stress Relief
(maintenance)
People with low self- esteem (from trauma) do not feel they can cope with stressful situations and turn to alcohol to relieve stress
Counterproductive
(relapse)
using alcohol to self medicate doesn’t work as it makes you feel more distressed that you’re dependent on alcohol, causing relapse from the stress.
Increase of stress
(relapse)
when an addict reduces use of alcohol, they will experience withdrawal symptoms which creates stress
- as the user is unable to cope with stress, they feel the only way to solve the situation is to drink = cycle of distress
Evaluation
- strength
Trauma in childhood
- evidence to support, study showed people with a high ACE score were more likely to become addicts
- this shows childhood trauma is linked to addiction in adulthood
Evaluation
- weakness
Cause + effect
- evidence shows underlying mental disorders do not cause addiction, but the opposite
- study showed addiction to alcohol causes depression
- addiction isn’t caused by underlying disorders that cause self-medication
Alcohol
- Learning approach
Initiation
- positive reinforcement
- vicarious reinforcement
- negative reinforcement
Maintenance
- positive reinforcement
- negative reinforcement
Relapse
- negative reinforcement
Positive reinforcement
(initiation)
- alcohol attaches to dopamine receptors causing a release of dopamine in the brain
- alcohol addicts continue drinking for the buzz they receive from dopamine
- rewards from drinking, chanting, praise from friends
- these rewards positively reinforce drinking alcohol
Vicarious Reinforcement
(initiation)
a young person observes family and peers enjoying alcohol and want to imitate for those rewards also
Negative Reinforcement
(Initiation)
People drink to escape stress in their lives
- people can learn this from watching films
Positive Reinforcement
(maintenance)
motivational toxicity = rewards from drinking exceed rewarding activities in normal life
such as relationships + hobbies
- drinking eventually becomes alcoholics only source of reward
Negative Reinforcement
(maintenance)
drinking is maintained to avoid withdrawal symptoms which are unpleasant
- strengthens drinking behaviour
Negative Reinforcement
(relapse)
- the relief gained from drinking can be strong enough to provoke relapse
- drinking makes life worse so they drink more to avoid the stress
Evaluation
- strength
Research support for negative reinforcement
- drinking to relieve symptoms of withdrawal is controlled by brain
- makes drinker vulnerable + relapse more likely
- negative reinforcement is responsible for maintenance and relapse
Evaluation
- weakness
Narrow explanation
- operant conditioning cannot explain use vs abuse
- most try alcohol in their life so everyone should be addicted from rewards
- genes are more influential
Smoking addiction
- Biological Approach
- Learning Approach
Alcohol addiction
- Learning approach
- Cognitive approach
