behavioural addictions

Question 1

what are behavioural addictions

Answer 1

• Process or non-substance related addiction
• Activities that have the potential to produce excessive reward seeking, without drug
  ingestion.
  1. Presence of aberrant psychophysiological responses when exposed to
  specific environmental cues
  2. Continued involvement in the behaviour despite negative consequences
  3. Perceived inability to reduce engagement in the activity (perceived loss of
  control)
  Shaffer (2015)

Question 2

Griffiths component model

Answer 2

Griffiths’ (2005) components model
Components Description

Salience- The relative importance of the activity within the individual’s life; dominates thinking, feelings and behaviour

Mood modification -
Subjective experience (often positive) of engaging in the activity. e.g., ‘buzz’, ‘rush’, ‘escape’ or ‘numbing’ effect.

Tolerance -Increasing amounts of the activity are required to achieve the former effects.

Withdrawal symptoms-Unpleasant feelings/effects when the activity is discontinued or suddenly reduced.

Conflict -Interpersonal or intrapsychic conflict, which can lead to compromising of relationships, occupation/education and other
social activities.

Relapse -Tendency to revert to the activity after a period of abstinence

Question 2

evolutionary approaches to understanding behavioural addictions

Answer 2

Evolutionary approaches to
understanding behavioural
addictions
v Pleasure centres in the brain developed to
promote and reinforce the behaviours that were
most critical to human survival (e.g., eating food,
sex).
v Modern society means constant availability of a
high number of other activities that activate these
pleasure pathways.
vDifficulty in resisting this ‘instantaneous
gratification’.
vIs addiction therefore just a ‘modern day
malfunction’ of these pleasure centres?

Question 2

behavioural addictions or impulse control disorders

Answer 2

§ Gambling previously considered an ICD; now classified
under the substance related and addictive disorders
section of the DSM.
§ ICDs – repetitive actions intended to reduce distress
§ Behavioural addictions centre on the notion that their
actions are designed to generate pleasure.
§ Motivations for behavioural addictions may change over
time
§ Evidence to suggest that they become less pleasurable
and more as a means to escape dysphoria (Fauth-Buhler
et al., 2017).