Biological Explanation Of Substance Misuse

Question 0

Why do people with reward deficiency syndrome turn to drugs?

Answer 0

Because they are unable to produce a feeling of well being and consequently self medicate with substances to feel good such as drugs, food and sexy time

Question 1

One biochemical explanation is the reward deficiency syndrome which is…

Answer 1

A deficiency in the dopamine system when individuals have a defective D2 dopamine receptor so they can’t produce pleasure naturally

Question 2

How does heroin increase levels of dopamine?

Answer 2

It slows down the re-uptake of neurotransmitters so that dopamine messages stay active for longer meaning the individual experiences pleasure

Question 3

How does biological psychology explain dependence?

Answer 3

Without heroin, the levels of dopamine are too low for normal functioning and therefore more drugs are taken to restore levels of dopamine to maintain normal functioning.

Question 4

How does biological psychology explain tolerance

Answer 4

This is because the drug causes either a reduction in the number of receptor sites in the post synaptic membrane of neurones or a reduction in their sensitivity to the drug. There more is needed for same effect