Describing Addiction

Question 1

What is meant by the term psychological independence? (2 marks)

Answer 1

This is the mental and emotional compulsion to keep taking a substance as the individual believes that they cannot cope with life without a particular drug e.g. nicotine or behaviour e.g. gambling. It may increase their pleasure or lesson their discomfort. An absence of the drug or behaviour causes the individual to feel anxious or irritable which leads to a craving for the substance.

Question 2

What is meant by the term physical independence? (2 marks)

Answer 2

Physical dependence is a state of the body that occurs when withdrawal syndrome is produced from stopping the substance use e.g. Nausea, headaches and shaking.

Question 3

What is meant by the term withdrawal syndrome? (4 marks)

Answer 3

Withdrawal syndrome is the collection of psychological and physical symptoms an individual will experience when they no longer have a substance in their system or engage in a particular behaviour. Withdrawal syndrome includes low mood, feeling nauseous, in pain or experiencing tremors. Individuals will continue to take the substance or engage in the behaviour to avoid the withdrawal symptoms. The seriousness of the withdrawal syndrome can depend on which substance is used, how much is used and how often it is used.

Question 4

What is meant by the term tolerance? (4 marks)

Answer 4

Tolerance arises when you have taken a substance or maintained a certain behaviour for some time, and due to the repeat exposure the response to the substance or behaviour is reduced. When tolerance occurs an individual will need greater doses to feel the same physical and psychological effects. For example, metabolic tolerance takes place when a substance has been metabolised quicker so leaves the body quicker.