introduction to addiction Flashcards
what is physical dependence?
taking a substance because it evokes a change in physical state
when is it only possible to establish whether someone is physically dependent on a substance?
when they abstain from the substance
what is psychological dependence?
taking a substance to maintain a certain psychological state/mood
what is one consequence of psychological dependence?
an individual will keep engaging in a behaviour until it becomes a habit, despite the negative consequences associated with it
what is tolerance?
a reduction in response to a substance, which means that the addicted individual needs more to get the same effect
what is tolerance caused by?
repeated exposure to effects of a substance
what is behavioural tolerance?
an individual learns through exposure to adjust their behaviour to compensate for the effects of a substance
give an example of behavioural tolerance
alcoholics learn through exposure to walk more slowly when drunk to avoid falling over
what is cross-tolerance?
when developing a tolerance to one type of substance (e.g. alcohol) can reduce sensitivity to another type (e.g. benzodiazepines)
give an example of how can cross-tolerance be used therapeutically
e.g. by giving benzodiazepines to people withdrawing from alcohol to reduce the withdrawal syndrome
what is withdrawal syndrome?
a set of symptoms that develop when an addicted person abstains from/reduces their substance abuse
what does the existence of withdrawal indicate that?
a physical dependence has developed
true or false?
motivation for continuing to take a substance is partly to avoid withdrawal symptoms
true
true or false?
symptoms of withdrawal are usually the same as the ones created by the substance
false - they are the opposite
give 2 examples of physical withdrawal symptoms
~ insomnia
~ weight gain/loss
give 2 examples of psychological withdrawal symptoms
~ anxiety
~ irritability
what is the first stage of withdrawal + what happens during this?
acute withdrawal phase
~ begins within hours of abstaining + features intense cravings, reflecting a strong dependence
~ symptoms diminish gradually over days
what is the second stage of withdrawal + what happens during this?
prolonged withdrawal phase
~ includes symptoms that occur for months/years
~ the individual becomes highly sensitive to the cues they associate with the substance
what are the 5 risk factors for addiction?
~ genetic vulnerability
~ peer influence
~ family influence
~ stress
~ personality
true or false?
people can inherit addictions
false - they only inherit a vulnerability to dependence, not the actual addiction itself
how may family influence addictions?
living in a family which uses addictive substances/has positive attitudes about addiction may increase a person’s likelihood of becoming addicted themselves
why may people who experience stress turn to drugs?
as a form of self-medication
what kinds of personality traits may increase risk of addiction?
traits such as hostility or neuroticism
true or false?
peers’ attitudes towards addiction are just as influential as using a drug itself
true
