Describing Addiction Flashcards
define addiction
the compulsion to use a substance or engage in behaviour despite its harmful consequences
what are the characteristics of an addiction
an inability to stop, failure to meet work social or family obligations
what are the requirements for someone to be described as physically dependent on a drug
need larger and larger doses to achieve same effect (tolerance) and experience unpleasant symptoms if attempt to stop taking the drug (withdrawal symptoms)
define tolerance
when an individual has to take more and more of the substance to gain the same effect as their initial experience
how can tolerance be explained biologically
by considering the idea of homeostasis : if we continue to drink alcohol/take drugs regularly the brain readjusts what it now considers to be normal levels meaning even more of said thing is needed to gain the same effect
what is homeostasis
a state of acting and feeling normal, a balancing act
what is cross tolerance
tolerance of one drug results in the tolerance to entire drug families
what are the three types of tolerance
metabolic
cellular
learned
what is metabolic tolerance
enzymes responsible for metabolising a drug do so more effectively over time making the effect of the drug weaker
what is cellular tolerance
prolonged drug use leads to changes in the receptor density, reducing the response to the normal dose of the drug
what is learned tolerance
a user will experience reduced drug effects because they have learned to function normally when under the influence of
what is a withdrawal symptom
when someone experiences unpleasant feelings and symptoms when they do not have a drug in their system
when does withdrawal occur
after tolerance because the brain has readjusted to the drug being in the system
what is physical withdrawal syndrome
the physical effects of drug withdrawal
what are the symptoms of physical withdrawal syndrome
low mood
nausea
aches
shakes/tremours
broadly speaking what is the reaction (symptoms) of the body to withdrawal
the symptoms of withdrawal are the opposite to the feeling and symptoms induced by the drug
what three things determine the severity of withdrawal symptoms
the drug used
amount consumed
drug use pattern
how does drug use affect withdrawal
each drug has a half life, the shorter it is the more intense the withdrawal
what is a drug half life
the amount of time it takes to eliminate half the drug from the body
how does the drug amount consumed affect withdrawal
if large amounts are consumed the withdrawal will be greater
how does the drug use pattern affect withdrawal
if the drug is used frequently, physical dependence and the effects of withdrawal will be greater
what are the two phases of withdrawal syndrome
acute
post-acute
when does acute drug withdrawal take place
hours - weeks
what happens during acute drug withdrawal
physical cravings that the addict experience are intense and persistent as the body is yet to adjust to the loss of the drug it had become used to
when does post-acute drug withdrawal take place
months - years after the person has stopped taking the drug
what happens during post-acute drug withdrawal
emotional and psychological turmoil as addicts experience alternating periods of dysfunction and normality as the brain reorganises itself
