Describing Addiction

Question 1

define addiction

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Define physical dependence

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

define psychological dependence

Answer 3

A compulsion to continue taking a substance (or continuing to perform a behaviour) because its use is rewarding.

Question 4

define tolerance

Answer 4

a reduction in response to a substance, so that an addicted individual needs more to get the same effect.

Question 5

define withdrawal syndrome

Answer 5

A set of symptoms that develop when an addicted person abstains from or reduces their substance abuse.

Question 6

define risk factor

Answer 6

any internal or external influences that increase the likelihood a person will start using addictive substances or engage in addictive behaviours.

Question 7

what are the 4 key aspects to addiction and who are they suggested by

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

list 3 indicators for substance dependence

Answer 8

• poor performace/ attendance at work/school
• withdrawing from responsibility and socialising
• losing interest in activities/ hobbies that were once important to you

Question 9

list 2 types of tolerance

Answer 9

• behavioural tolerance
• cross-tolerance

Question 10

outline behavioural tolerance

Answer 10

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

Question 11

outline cross-tolerance

Answer 11

whereby developing a tolerance to one substance (i.e. alcohol) reduces sensitivity to another substance (i.e. benzodiazepines).

Question 12

Where cross tolerance see in the real world

Answer 12

• 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.

Question 13

explain psychological dependence

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

list 3 withdrawal symptoms of smoking

Answer 14

• anxiety
• irritability/ agitation
• increase appitite
• weight gain

often the symptoms are the opposite of what the nicotine provided - relaxed state + reduced appitite

Question 15

list 3 withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiciton

Answer 15

• tremors
• insomnia
• anxiety

Question 16

how many phases does withdrawal have

Answer 16

typically 2

Question 17

what are the 2 phases of withdrawal

Answer 17

• acute withdrawal phase
• prolonged withdrawal phase

Question 18

describe the acute withdrawal phase

Answer 18

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

Question 19

describe prolonged withdrawal phase

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Give some research for tolerance

Answer 20

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.