Drug taking behaviour

Question 1

Studies show that animals are more likely to overdose in which type of environment?

Answer 1

An environment they aren’t accustomed to.

A lethal dose in a new environment can be the same as a relatively safe dose in a familiar environment.

Question 2

Gutierrez-Cebollada et al (1994) found that in human ppts admitted in the emergency room, those who had an overdose were more likely to report…

Answer 2

not being in their usual environment when they overdosed.

Question 3

Siegel, 1977 proposed what as a mechanism to account for relapse into drug taking?

Answer 3

conditioned withdrawal

Question 4

Outline how a conditional compensatory response is formed.

Answer 4

Stimulation of receptors by a drug (UCS) cause a drug-compensatory response(UCR) naturally. Drug cues can become a CS which them leads to a conditional compensatory response (CCR that is the same as the UCR)

Question 5

What is a compensatory response?

Answer 5

An automatic response that the mind and body experience that is the opposite of the alcohol or drugs.

Question 6

What occurs when the body anticipates the drug because of cues but no drug is given?

Answer 6

Compensatory conditioned responses

Question 7

Compensatory physiological responses are responsible for which two things?

Answer 7

1. withdrawal symptoms- the body produced the opposite effects of the drug and overcompensate leading to unpleasant symptoms.
2. tolerance-body produces opposite effects of drug leading to higher doses in order to feel the effects.

Question 8

Who proposed conditioned withdrawal as a mechanism to account for relapse into drug taking?

Answer 8

Siegel (1977)

Question 9

What is the Hebbian learning rule?

Answer 9

The rule which states that the connections between two neurons might be strengthened if the neurons fire simultaneously.

A little bit of a drug or a cue for a drug can make you want more.

Question 10

There is a lot of variation in how success on exposure treatments are measured. Name 5 outcome measures.

Answer 10

1. Latency to relapse
2. Extent of relapse
3. Cue reactivity
4. Self reports of drug use
5. Withdrawal symptoms

Question 11

What is spontaneous recovery according to Pavlov?

Answer 11

The reappearance of a conditioned response that had been extinguished. This can occur after non-exposure to the CS.

Question 12

How can spontaneous recovery be minimised?

Answer 12

By using widely spaced extinction trials.

Question 13

What are a few reasons why there are mixed outcomes to exposure treatments?

Answer 13

1. Exposure to occasion setter instead of actual cues
2. Interoceptive drug associated cues
3. Potential for overshadowing, drug onset cues likely salient
4. Cue exposure treatment procedures for problem drinking include priming doses of alcohol