Defining addiction

Question 1

What is physical dependence?

Answer 1

A result of long term use. A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. Normal day-to-day functioning can become reliant on the substance often accompanied by tolerance.

Question 2

What is psychological dependence?

Answer 2

The condition that exists when a person must continue to take the drug in order to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for the drug. The individual thinks that they cannot cope with work and a social life without the drug. Absence of the drug causes them to be irritable, anxious and depressed

Question 3

What is tolerance?

Answer 3

The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug, requiring the user to take larger doses before experiencing the same effect

Question 4

What is withdrawal?

Answer 4

Unpleasant physical or psychological effects following discontinued use of a drug. Can include shakes/tremors, vomiting, blood pressure and heart rate changes etc. These effects are the consequence of the body reacting to cessation of the drug and often leads onto relapse as users find withdrawal symptoms intolerable

Question 5

What is metabolic tolerance?

Answer 5

Where enzymes responsible for breaking down the drug become more effective, therefore reducing the effects of the substance

Question 6

What is learned tolerance?

Answer 6

The result of practice as the person has learned to function normally whilst under the influence of drugs and dealing with it’s effects

Question 7

What is neuroadaption?

Answer 7

Where changes at the synapse occur e.g. down regulators may make receptors less sensitive or fewer in number , reducing the effects of the drug

Question 8

What symptoms must be shown for a 12 month period for chronic diagnosis

Answer 8

-Tolerance
-Withdrawal symptoms
-Increasing doses
-Unsuccessful attempts to cut down intake
-Considerable time spent obtaining, using or recovering from the use of substances
-Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up
-Continuation of use despite recognition that this causes physical or psychological problems

Question 9

What symptoms must be present must be present for 12 months to get an acute or episodic problem?

Answer 9

-Recurrent use in potentially hazardous situations
-Interference with obligations in their major role. For example, at work, home or school
-Legal problems related to drug use
-Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems caused by substance use