Characteristics of Addictive Behaviour Flashcards
What is the NHS definition of addiction?
Not having control over taking or using something to the point it could be harmful to you.
What is the BPS definition of addiction?
A psychological dependency on a particular substance.
What kind of things can people be addicted to?
Behavioural addictions - shopping, gambling and social media.
Substance addictions - smokings, drugs and alcohol.
What is the DSM-5?
Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness that is consistently updated with new illnesses, symptoms and information.
What are the issues with the DSM-5?
Very limited information on behavioural addictions with a primary focus on substance abuse.
What are Griffith’s 6 key characteristics of addiction?
Withdrawal Symptoms (When)
Mood Modification (Mr)
Salience (Smith)
Tolerance (Teaches)
Conflict (Children)
Relapse (Run)
Describe withdrawal symptoms and give an example.
When the behaviour is stopped, the person will experience physical symptoms such as insomnia, headache or psychological symptoms such as moodiness.
Describe mood modification and give an example.
When engaging behaviour, the person’s mood changes for a feeling numbness etc.
Describe salience and give an example.
The addictive activity has become the most important thing in the individuals life dominates their thoughts and feelings.
Describe toleration and give an example.
As time goes on, a tolerance to the addiction will be built up and therefore more of the substance will be needed to experience the same effects.
Describe conflict and give an example.
Addicts will experience interpersonal conflict (internal conflict amongst themselves e.g. knows they should stop but cannot) and external conflict (losing relations with friends and family due to addiction).
Describe relapse and give an example.
Addicts have a tendency to return to addictive behaviour after treatment e.g. smoking a cigarette after quitting.
