decribing addiction Flashcards
addiction definition
a state characterised by compulsively engaging in rewardimng stimuli
physical dependence definition
need drug to feel normal
-demonstroted by wdrwawl symptoms
*accompanied by incr tolerance
withdrawal symptoms/syndrome examples
anxiety, insomnia, headaches, vomitting
caffeine: headaches, fatigue bc the body is attempting to deal w the absence of the drug
2 phases of withdrawal syndrome
acute wdrawal
post-acute wdrawal
what is acute withdrawal
within hours of drug cessation
resolves after a few weeks
intense and persistent drug cravings
what is post-acute withdrawal
months-years
emotional and psychological turmoil as brain slowly rebalances and reorganises itself
tolerance definition
an individual no longer responds to a drug in the same way: larger doses are needed to experience the same effects
metabolic tolerance
changes in receptor density
learned tolerance
what is metabolic tolerance
enzymes metabolise more efficiently
= reduced concentration in blood and drug action sites
what is changes in receptor density
when the density of receptors that recognise the drug decrease over time, so fewer of them are stimulated
what is learned tolerance
learned to function normally under the drug= reduced effects
psychological dependence definition
drug becomes central part of thoughts, emotions and activities
stronger urge to use drug (cravings)
what are cravings
intense desires to repeat experience assoc w drug
if cravings not met= anxiety
