Defining addiction Flashcards
What is addiction?
A state in which a person engages in compulsive behaviour despite its harmful consequences. Typically this behaviour is seen as reinforcing and the person suffers a lack of control over limiting their intake.
What is physical dependency?
This is a result of long term use i.e. daily use for weeks/months
A physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. e.g. delirium tremens with alcohol cessation such as Agitation, disorientation, hallucinations, fever, hypertension
In fact normal day-to-day functioning can become reliant on the substance e.g. having an alcoholic drink before work
Often accompanied by tolerance i.e. the user requires increased doses in order to obtain the same desired effect
What is psychological dependence?
The condition that exists when a person must continue to take a drug in order to satisfy intense mental and emotional craving for the drug (feel rewarded)
The individual feels/thinks that they cannot cope with work and social life without a particular drug such as alcohol or nicotine.
Absence of the drug causes the individual to feel anxious, irritable or depressed, and have cravings for the substance.
Psychological dependence can occur in the absence of physical dependence (ie true withdrawal symptoms may not be experienced).
THUS THE ADDICTION IS IN THE MIND AND BECOMES THE CENTRAL FOCUS TO A PERSON’S LIFE
What is tolerance?
The diminishing (reduction) in effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug (or behaviour), requiring the user to take larger and larger doses (or engage in the behaviour more of the behaviour) before experiencing the same effect.
The body’s adjustment to chronic use of a substance
In what ways can tolerance occur?
Metabolic tolerance - where enzymes responsible for breaking down the drug become more effective reducing its effect
Neuroadaptation – where changes at the synapse occur e.g. downregulation may make receptors less sensitive or fewer in number; reducing the effects of drugs/behaviours
Learned tolerance – is the result of practice as the person has learned to function normally whilst under the influence of drug (and dealing with its effects)
What is withdrawal syndrome?
Unpleasant physical or psychological effects following discontinued use of a drug
Can include shakes or tremors, vomiting, blood pressure/heart rate changes. Depends on the drug/behaviour
These effects are the consequence of the body reacting to cessation ( stopping) of the drug
This often leads onto relapse as users find withdrawal symptoms intolerable
What are the two types of withdrawal?
Acute withdrawal (within hours but usually stops within weeks)
Post acute withdrawal (brain slowly reorganises and balances; could take months / years)
How do you diagnose a chronic problem of substance dependence?
According to the DSM IV, an individual must show three of the following at any time in a twelve month period:
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Increasing doses
Unsuccessful attempts to cut down intake
Considerable time spent obtaining, using or recovering from the use of a substance
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up
Continuation of use despite recognition that this causes physical or psychological problems
How do you diagnose an acute or episodic problem of substance abuse?
An individual must experience one or more of the following in a twelve month period:
Interference with obligations in their major role, for example at work, home or school
Recurrent use in potentially hazardous situations
Legal problems related to drug use
Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems caused by substance use
