Describing Addiction Flashcards
define addiction
Addiction is a disorder in which an individual takes a substance or engages in a behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.
Marked by physiological and/or psychological dependence, tolerance and withdrawal.
Define physical dependence
A state of the body due to habitual substance abuse which results in a withdrawal syndrome when teh use of the drug is reduced or stopped.
define psychological dependence
A compulsion to continue taking a substance (or continuing to perform a behaviour) because its use is rewarding.
define tolerance
a reduction in response to a substance, so that an addicted individual needs more to get the same effect.
define withdrawal syndrome
A set of symptoms that develop when an addicted person abstains from or reduces their substance abuse.
define risk factor
any internal or external influences that increase the likelihood a person will start using addictive substances or engage in addictive behaviours.
what are the 4 key aspects to addiction and who are they suggested by
Walters - 4 Ps
- progression - to a higher tolerance and greater risk of withdrawal
- preoccupation - cannot stop thinking about the behaviour
- percieved - a loss of control over the behaviour
- persistence - continuing to indulge despite the negative consequences.
list 3 indicators for substance dependence
- poor performace/ attendance at work/school
- withdrawing from responsibility and socialising
- losing interest in activities/ hobbies that were once important to you
list 2 types of tolerance
- behavioural tolerance
- cross-tolerance
outline behavioural tolerance
behavioural tolerance happens when an individual learns through experience to adjust their behaviour to compensate for the effects of a substance.
alcoholics learn to walk slower when drunk to avoid falling
outline cross-tolerance
whereby developing a tolerance to one substance (i.e. alcohol) reduces sensitivity to another substance (i.e. benzodiazepines).
Where cross tolerance see in the real world
- cross tolerance is a classic issue of surgery. People who have developed a tolerance to the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol need higher doses of anaesthetic.
- Cross-tolerance can also be used theraputically by giving benzodiazepines to people withdrawing from alcohol to reduce the withdrawal syndrome.
explain psychological dependence
it is a compulsion to experience the effects of substances to increase pleasure or decrease discomfort. The substance is reliably followed by a reward. A consequence of this is the individual will continue to do this until it becomes a habit despite the negative consequences.
list 3 withdrawal symptoms of smoking
- anxiety
- irritability/ agitation
- increase appitite
- weight gain
often the symptoms are the opposite of what the nicotine provided - relaxed state + reduced appitite
list 3 withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiciton
- tremors
- insomnia
- anxiety
how many phases does withdrawal have
typically 2
what are the 2 phases of withdrawal
- acute withdrawal phase
- prolonged withdrawal phase
describe the acute withdrawal phase
acute withdrawal begins within hours of abstaining and features intense cravings for the substance, reflecting strong physiological and psychological dependence. The symptoms gradually diminish (usually) over days
describe prolonged withdrawal phase
the prolonged withdrawal phase includes symptoms that continue for weeks, months and even years. The person becomes highly sensitive to the cues they associate with the substance (e.g. lighters, rituals, locations.). This is one reason relapse is so common.
Give some research for tolerance
Grabus 2005:
found evidence of tolerance in mice. Over time teh mice became tolerant to nicotine and required higher levels to induce similar responses e.g. change in body temp.
