MECHANISMS OF ADDICTION

Question 1

what is addiction?

Answer 1

Continued repetition of a behaviour despite adverse consequences.

Question 2

what is dependance?

Answer 2

the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like

Question 3

is it possible to be dependant but not addicted?

Answer 3

yes

Question 4

what is salience?

Answer 4

the quality of being particularly noticeable or important
The more positive something seems the more desirable it is (positive association). If something invokes negative feelings from the beginning addiction is far less likely.

Question 5

what makes a substance addictive?

Answer 5

Produces pleasure
has a quick onset of action
short duration of action
building tolerance
adverse withdrawal effects

Question 6

what is the cause of addiction?

Answer 6

There is a genetic contribution to heavy drinking and alcoholism but affected heavily by social, upbringing, and personality factors.

Question 7

describe the role of operant conditioning in addiction?

Answer 7

Positive reinforcement is giving a favourable outcome after a desirable behaviour. (Drinking for pleasurable effect)
Negative reinforcement is removing a negative stimulus after a desirable behaviour. (Drinking to remove withdrawal symptoms)

Question 8

describe the cycle of change stages?

Answer 8

1. Pre-contemplation: no intention to change behaviour
2. Contemplation: aware there is a problem but no commitment to change
3. Preparation: intent on making change, high self-efficacy, convinced needs to make change
4. Action
5. Maintenance: new behaviour replaces the old
6. Relapse: very common, going back to substance

Question 9

describe what is meant by the cycle of change being an upward spiral?

Answer 9

every time you try you increase your chances of success

Question 10

describe how addiction gives us a feeling of pleasure?

Answer 10

Dopamine is produced in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and released into the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, leading to feelings of pleasure
All addictive drugs lead to increased dopamine levels in nucleus accumbens.
Addicts become less sensitive to natural reinforcers, drugs of abuse become more salient.

Question 11

what is the nucleus accumbent?

Answer 11

the brains reward centre

Question 12

what maintains addiction?

Answer 12

• Personality factors - thrill seeking, impulsive, mood dysregulation.
• Social factors - drinking/drug taking amongst family and peers.
• Altered physiology in continuous presence of drug (homeostasis).
• Unpleasant effects when the drug is absent (withdrawal).

Question 13

what is end stage addiction?

Answer 13

Overwhelming desire to take the drug, diminished ability to control drug seeking, reduced pleasure from biological rewards.
Addicts take alcohol/drugs so often it becomes almost automatic habit.
Can be triggered by drug related cues even after many years of abstinence.

Question 14

what are the principles of motivational interviewing?

Answer 14

1. Express empathy through reflective listening.
2. Develop discrepancy between clients’ goals or values and their current behaviour.
3. Avoid argument and direct confrontation.
4. Adjust to client resistance rather than opposing it directly.
5. Support self-efficacy and optimism

Question 15

what are the 2 factors which influence society consumption of alcohol?

Answer 15

price and availability