Drug use and Addiction Flashcards
Definition of addiction?
- behaviour is reinforcing (rewarding/pleasureable)
- loss of control in limiting intake
Definition of mild addiction?
-presence of 2 to 3 symptoms
Definition of moderate addiction?
-presence of 4 to 5 symptoms
Definition of severe addiction?
-presence of 6 or more symptoms
Symptoms of addiction?
- continuation of use despite consequences
- repeatedly unable to carry out major obligations
- recurrent use in physically hazardous situations
- continued use despite persistent social/interpersonal problems
- tolerance (need for increased amounts/ diminished effect)
- withdrawal as syndrome/ substance use is to avoid withdrawal
- using greater amounts/longer period of time
- persistent desire
- large amount of time spent obtaining/using/recovering
- stopping/reducing important activities
- craving or strong desire to use
Definition of tolerance?
- state in which an organism reduces its response to a drug
- higher does is required to get same effect
Definition of sensitisation?
-progressive increase in drug effects
Definition of physical dependence?
-state in which organism functions normally in the presence of drug
Biological cause behind addiction?
-drugs hijack the brain’s natural reward system (mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway)
Volkow et al (1999)
- compared those with low D2 against those with high D2
- those with high density didn’t like the effects of a stimulant drug
- those with low density did like it
Biological risk factors?
- genetic risk
- family history
- gene and environment interactions
Cognitive factors in drug use?
- poor inhibitory control
- poor decision making/planning
- memory impairment
- attention grabbing
Effect of stress in drug users?
- makes drug cues stand out
- stress releases dopamine
- reduces inhibitory processes
What did rat park find?
-if there’s other reinforcers/rewards it’s not inevitable that the organism will take drugs
Hart et al (2000)
- lack of other rewards means addicts choose drugs
- when it was small monetary value, they would select the crack
Socio-cultural model of misuse/dependency?
- stressful socio-economic conditions lead to higher rates of problems
- higher rates due to sub-culture/peers/parents valuing alcohol
- cultural factors play a role
Psychodynamic model of misuse/dependency?
- dependent personality developed due to unmet needs during childhood
- set up to develop a ‘dependent relationship’
Cognitive behavioural model of misuse/dependency?
- behaviour is enforced by positive reward or negative reinforcement
- self-medicating a mood disorder
- role model from parents/peers
Biopsychosocial model of misuse/dependency?
- environment,biology, and genes interacting with each other
- together increase risk of use while already using a substance
What are the first steps in treating a drug problem?
- detoxification (gradually reduce drug use)
- replacement to alleviate withdrawal
What is conditioned aversion?
- negative side effects dissuade the use of substances
- e.g. antabuse leads to vomiting when drinking alcohol
What is motivational enhancement therapy?
- emphasis on listening
- empowering the person to generate own solutions
- try to engage people in talking about own strengths to motivate them
Treatments for the craving aspects?
- mindfulness techniques
- S.O.B.E.R
- distraction
- avoiding high risk situations
- cue exposure
What is contingency management?
- treatment for learned association
- abstinence is rewarded with vouchers
- goal is to replace rewarding effects of drugs with rewarding effects of abstinence
Key components of CBT?
- education on alcohol
- contatct
- identify triggers and coping strategies
- activity scheduling
- develop goals
- keep to limits
- develop assertiveness skills
What’s the connection treatment for addiction?
- alcoholics/narcotic anonymous
- 12 step programmes
- emphasis on control
- spirituality and higher meaning
What are some emerging treatments for addiction?
- compassion focused therapy
- synergetic approaches using drugs to catalyse
- CBD trial
- KARE trial
