B2: Physiological Addiction Flashcards
Smoking- Biological Approach
INITIATION
- Genetic predisposition- individual may have inherited a genetic predisposition if their parents both smoke, more vulnerable and increase the likelihood of them smoking, especially if an environmental trigger (stress) is present.
- Dopamine Receptors- individual has fewer dopamine receptors, unable to feel the effects of dopamine, smoke more to gain the same results.
3 Heritability- genetic factors contribute to the initiation of smoking and nicotine dependence.
Smoking- Biological Approach
MAINTAIN
- Role of dopamine- dopamine released when you smoke, causes pleasurable feelings, feelings are only for the short term before leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms, person continues to smoke to get the same pleasurable feelings.
- Nicotine Regulation- continue to smoke to regulate nicotine in their bloodstream which activates the dopamine receptors and gives them feelings of pleasure.
Smoking: Biological Approach
RELAPSE
Tolerance- needs to smoke more to gain the same effects, smoke again to keep their dopamine receptors at the right level.
Withdrawal Symptoms- tries to quit they experience withdrawal symptoms, smoke again to relieve themselves.
Smoking: Biological Approach
A03 Evaluation
Strength- RTS; MZ identical twins higher concordance rate then DZ non identical twins = genetics.
Practical Treatment; Nicotine Replacement Therapy without harmful effects.
Individual Differences; even when a smoker knows smoking is harmful they still smoke due to physiological changes in the brain.
Weakness- Individual Differences; not all smokers become addicted to nicotine as some can give it up easily.
Smoking: Learning Approach
INITIATION
- Parental and peer role models- A smoker will observe their parents and peers smoking, who are their role models. They will see them seeking pleasure from the smoking, making them more likely to imitate the behaviour due to vicarious reinforcement. Imitation is more likely if the smoker identifies with the role model.
2 Positive reinforcement- a smoker receives a pleasurable reward (feeling calm and relaxed) , more likely to repeat smoking.
Smoking: Learning Approach
MAINTENANCE
- Negative reinforcement; removal of withdrawal symptoms
Continues smoking to escape the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms .
2.Classical conditioning; sensations
Association between the sensations of smoking and it’s pleasurable effects.
Smoking: Learning Approach
RELAPSE
1.Classical conditioning; conditioned cues
Ex smoker encounters a conditioned cue they associate with smoking, start smoking again.
2.Self efficacy- ex smoker with low self efficacy relapses because they put in less effort to quit and don’t seek support. Not confident they will be successful at changing, so they start to smoke again.
Smoking: Learning Approach
A03 Evaluation
Strength- RTS; smoker knows smoking is harmful but continues to due to positive reinforcement.
Weakness- Alternative Explanation; not everyone who grows up in a smoking household becomes a smoker themselves.
Gender bias; men find it harder to give up smoking than women.
Alcohol: Cognitive Approach- Self Medication Model
INITIATION
- Use alcohol to mitigate a current issue- use alcohol as a coping mechanism to help with stress and anxiety they have not been able to deal with OR make less severe a previous trauma or stressor.
2.Special effects- make them feel relaxed and reduce anxiety, helping them to sleep.
Alcohol: Cognitive Approach- Self Medication Model
MAINTENANCE
- Assume alcohol is managing the problem- self medicates, believes alcohol is the only coping mechanism helping them.
- To relieve stress- short term relief from stress or other health issues due to alcohol use.
Alcohol: Cognitive Approach- Self Medication Model
RELAPSE
- Alcohol is counterproductive (vicious cycle)- short term relief, vicious cycle where the individual will drink to relieve the negative feelings.
- Increases stress levels so drink again- stopping drinking causes them to experience withdrawal symptoms, creates an increase in stress so they start to drink again.
- The addict thinks alcohol has solved the problem so drinks again- only solution is to drink again because the stress and withdrawal and not having dealt with the original issue is unbearable.
Alcohol: Cognitive Approach- Self Medication Model
A03 Evaluation
Strength- Practical; treat using CBT.
RWA; if the issue/problem/stressor is relieved then the alcohol addiction should improve.
Weakness-Cause and effect; unclear whether the alcohol caused the problem OR the problem caused the alcoholic to drink.
Alcohol: Learning Approach- Operant Conditioning
INITIATION
- Positive reinforcement: relaxation
Drinks alcohol and receives a pleasurable reward (relaxation, increased dopamine) so they are more likely to start to drink alcohol.
2.Negative reinforcement: relief from stress
Wants to remove/escape the unpleasant stimulus of stress so they start to drink for a relief from stress.
3.Role models: vicarious reinforcement.
Individual observes a role model enjoying alcohol, becoming more sociable, confident and friendly, so they imitate their behaviour (vicarious reinforcement); even more likely if they identify with the role model.
Alcohol: Learning Approach- Operant Conditioning
MAINTENANCE
- Negative reinforcement: relief from withdrawal symptoms
Continues to drink to remove/ escape the withdrawal symptoms (low mood, irritability).
Alcohol: Learning Approach- Operant Conditioning
RELAPSE
1.Negative reinforcement: reduction of withdrawal symptoms
Start drinking alcohol again to remove the withdrawal symptoms.
