Describing Addiction Flashcards
1
Q
What is meant by an addiction?
A
- addiction is a disorder where an indv consumes a substance e.g. nicotine
- or engages in a particular bhv e.g. gambling
- that is pleasurable but eventually becomes repulsive with harmful consequences
2
Q
What are the key features of addiction?
A
Psychological dependence
Physical dependence
Withdrawal syndrome
Tolerance
3
Q
Describe what is meant by the term psychological dependence? (2)
A
- mental and emotional compulsion to keep taking a substance
- as indv believes they cannot cope with work/life w out a particular drug e.g. nicotine or bhv e.g. gambling
- absence of drug/bhv causes indv to feel anxious which leads to a craving for it
4
Q
Describe what is meant by the term physical dependence? (2)
A
- state of the body that occurs when withdrawal syndrome is produced
- from stopping the use of substance/bhv e.g. headaches or shaking
5
Q
Describe what is meant by the term withdrawal syndrome? (4)
A
- collection of psychological and physical symptoms indv experiences when they no longer have substance in system or engage in bhv
- e.g. low mood or feeling nauseous (2)
- withdrawal is unpleasant so indv partly continues taking substance or doing bhv to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- seriousness of the withdrawal syndrome depends on type and amount of substance used/bhv and how often does it occur
6
Q
Describe what is meant by the term tolerance?
A
- when you have taken substance/maintained bhv for some time and response to substance/bhv dec due to the repetitive exposure
- indv needs greater doses to feel same physical and psychological effects
- e.g. indv smoking 5 cigs a day may need to smoke 20 to get the same effect (2)
- there are two types of tolerance
- cellular tolerance is when brain neurons adapt in response to higher levels of substance
- behavioural tolerance is when indvs bhv becomes less affected by substance so they complete daily activities while under the influence e.g. working
