introduction to studying addiction Flashcards
addiction definition
disorder in which an individual takes a substance or engages in behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with harmful consequences. marked by physiological and/or psychological dependence, tolerance and withdrawal
physical dependence definition
state of the body due to habitual substance abuse which results in a withdrawal syndrome when use of drug is reduced or stopped
psychological dependence definition
compulsion to continue taking a substance (or continue to perform behaviour) because use is rewarding
tolerance definition
reduction in response to a substance, so that an addicted individual need more to get the same effect
withdrawal syndrome definition
set of symptoms that develop when an addicted person abstains from or reduced their substance abuse
risk factors definition
any internal or external influence that increases the likelihood a person will start using addictive substances or engage in addictive behaviour’s
what are key characteristics used to establish if a behaviour is an addiction
dependence, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
how is physical dependence defined
in terms of withdrawal, as it is only possible to establish if someone is physically dependent on a substance when they abstain from it
when is physical dependence said to have occured
when withdrawal syndrome is produced by reducing or stopping intake
what does psychological dependence refer to
compuslison to experience the effects of substance, usually in terms of an increase in pleasure ir a lessening of discomfort
how is psychological dependence shown after taking a substance
followed by a reward
what is a consequence of psychological dependence
person will keep taking the substance (or engage in a behaviour) until to becomes a habit, despite the harmful consequences
what is tolerance
when an individual’s response to a given amount of a substance is reduced so a greater dose is needed to create the same effect
what are the 2 types of tolerance
-behavioural tolerance
-cross-tolerance
when does behavioural tolerance happen
when an individual learn through experience to adjust their behaviour to compensate for the effects of a substance
what is cross-tolerance
when developing a tolerance to one type of substance can reduce sensitivity to another substance
how can cross-tolerance be used therapeutically
giving benzodiazepines to people withdrawing from alcohol to reduce withdrawal syndrome
what is a risk factor
anything that increases the chances that someone will form an addiction
how can risk factor be used to explain current use
explain why a person increases their current level of use
what are the 5 key risk factors
-genetic vulnerability
-stress
-personality
-family influences
-peers
how is genetic vulnerability a risk factor
-people do not inherit an addiction, instead they inherit a predisposition (vulnerability) to dependence
-genes may determine the activity of neurotransmitter systems in the brain, which in turn affect behaviours such as impulsivity that predispose a person to dependence
how is stress a risk factor
-people who experience stress may turn to drugs as a form of self-medication
-stress included present and past events
how is personality a risk factor
-individual personality traits such as hostility and neuroticism may increase the risk of addiction
-no such thing as an addictive personality
how are family influences a risk factor
living in a family which uses addictive substances an/or has a positive attitude about addictions increases a Peron’s likelihood of becoming addicted
how are peers a risk factor of addiction
as children get older, peer relationships become the most important risk factor of addiction, outstipping family influences. even when an adolescent peer have not used drugs themselves. their attitudes towards drugs may still be influential
Limitation of risk factors in development of addiction - interactions between risk factors
-limitation of focusing on individual risk factors that it means we ignore effect of interactions and also ignore positive effects
-no one risk factor is casual in addiction. combinations of risk matter more than single factors. Mayes and Suchman (2006) point out different combinations partly determine nature and severity of an addiction. factors described as risky can be protective - personality traits, genetic characteristics, family and peer influences can reduce risk of addiction –> therefore a more realistic view of risk is to think in terms of multiple pathways to addiction which include different combinations interacting and some have a positive effect
strength of risk factors in development of addiction - central role of genes
strength of looking at risk factors is that they point to the overriding interaction with genes. MOst risk factors are proximate so act as an immediate influence on addiction. for example, high stress levels directly increase addiction risk as does the personality trait of novelty seeking. but how we respond to stress and the extent to which we seek novelty are both partly genetic (RAy et al 2009). so fully understand risk factors, we have to look further back in the chain of influences to the ultimate risk factor, in many cases it is genetic –> therefore, genetic vulnerability may be the most significant factor because it has ultimate influence in others
what is withdrawal syndrome
collection of symptoms associated with abstaining from an addictive substance or reducing its use.
what is the specificity of withdrawal symptoms
unique to each category of substance and is predictable. the symptoms are typically the opposite of the ones created by the substance.
example of withdrawal symptoms for smoking
may find smoking relaxes them but withdrawal from nicotine produces anxiety, agitation and irritability
what does withdrawal indicate
a physical dependence
when does withdrawal happen
once dependence has occurred, whenever they cannot get the substance, this happens often so get familiar with the symptoms which are unpleasant and cause discomfort. so the motivation for continuing to take a substance is partly avoided the withdrawal symptoms, a secondary from of psychological dependence
what are the 2 phases of withdrawal syndrome
-acute withdrawal phase
-prolonged withdrawal phase
what is acute withdrawal phase
begins within hours of abstaining and features intense cravings for the substance, reflecting strong physiological and psychological dependence. the symptoms gradually diminish, usually over days
what is the prolonged withdrawal phase
symptoms that continue for weeks, months and even years. the person becomes highly sensitive to the cues they associated with the substance (such as lighters and rituals). the is one reason why relapse is so common
