Biological explanations of addiction - Dopamine Flashcards
INI - What do addictive drugs stimulate in the brain?
Reward circuits , which release the chemical dopamine. This stimulates the “do it again” response.
INI - What happens in the mesolimbic pathway when a drug substance is taken?
Dopamine receptors en masse is rapidly activated. The pathway values the importance of lasting memories that links the drug to pleasurable rewards.
INI - What does the incentive sensitisation theory say about the initiation of drugs?
Repeated exposure to drugs leads to the increased sensitivity of the desirability of the drug. This persists even in the absence of continued exposure to the drug.
MAI - Describe the process surrounding the maintenance of addictive behaviour.
Chronic exposure to alcohol or other drugs result in ar eduction of its stimulation towards positive rewards circuitry (downregulation).
This generates chronic stress, characterised by withdrawal symptoms.
The negative state becomes the dominant force in drug craving.
Due to this, the drugs are needed to trigger brain reward system increase.
REL - How is relapse initiated?
The desire for the drug becomes larger than desires for other things due to the brain experiences difficulties to resist immenant reward signals that force drug use.
REL - What is a result of the brain’s drug desires?
Permenant recovery is made more difficult due to the lasting memories caused in maintenance, but does not make it inevitable.
REL - How does the behavioural learning affect the addict and why?
The addict is reminded of the rewarding experiences as a result of drug cues, which works even if the addict knows they will not be getting a reward.
Their capacity for self control of their behaviour is weakened. The frontal cortex becomes less effective at making decisions, which heightens the risk of relapse.
