Midterm #2 Flashcards
What are common barriers to addiction recovery?
- Denial,
- stigma,
- lack of access to quality treatment,
- financial concerns.
What is a fundamental issue with focusing on the future in treatment for addiction?
It can be anxiety-provoking.
What does Dr. Wohl suggest focusing on instead of the future?
The past
How does self-discontinuity induce nostalgia and behavior change?
By highlighting a disconnection between the present and the past.
Why is behavior change particularly difficult for those living with addiction?
Despite the negative consequences of addiction (strained relationships, job loss), behavior change is hard due to barriers and a focus in literature on understanding these barriers rather than what motivates change.
What is the concept of “self-continuity” in addiction treatment?
The idea that restoring a sense of continuity or wholeness to the self can help individuals regain a sense of self eroded by addiction.
What benefits are associated with high levels of self-continuity?
- Psychological well-being,
- a desire to maintain well-being, and
- elevated levels of self-esteem.
What is motivational interviewing, and what does it aim to do?
- reduce or minimize resistance and
- explore the discrepancy between current behavior and future goals to resolve ambivalence.
How does focusing on the past versus the future affect behavior change in addiction?
Focusing on the past is beneficial because it is concrete and can motivate change through nostalgia, while focusing on the future can be anxiety-inducing due to the vague and uncertain nature of life without addictive behavior.
What is the basic model Michael Wohl says
Self-Discontinuity → Nostalgia (for the pre-addicted self) → Readiness to change.
How does nostalgia influence behavior change among problem drinkers and gamblers?
Nostalgia, triggered by a sense of self-discontinuity, can increase readiness to change and actual change attempts.
What are “implicit theories of behavior” in the context of addiction?
The belief that behavior is either malleable (incremental theorists) or fixed (entity theorists), affecting one’s readiness to change addictive behaviors.
How can nostalgia be both beneficial and detrimental to recovery?
Beneficial when focused on reclaiming life before unhealthy behavior, but detrimental when focused on the perceived benefits of the unhealthy behavior, potentially undermining recovery intentions.
What are the key themes from Dr. Wohl’s presentation on nostalgia and behavior change?
- Nostalgia facilitates healthy behavior change when focused on life before unhealthy behavior.
- Nostalgia undermines healthy behavior change when focused on perceived benefits of unhealthy behavior.
What role does denial play in addiction recovery?
Denial is a major barrier to addiction recovery, manifesting as an unwillingness to seek treatment and acknowledge the need for help
How does stigma contribute to the difficulty of overcoming addiction?
Stigma creates shame about both the addiction itself and the act of seeking treatment, making individuals reluctant to admit their struggles or seek help.
What impact does the lack of access to quality treatment programs have on addiction recovery?
Without access to quality treatment, individuals struggling with addiction may not receive the necessary support and resources to overcome their addictive behaviors.
How do financial concerns affect the decision to seek addiction treatment?
The fear of the high costs associated with treatment can deter individuals from seeking help, due to concerns over affordability.
How do treatment providers use the concept of self-continuity in therapy?
Providers aim to restore a sense of continuity to the self by focusing on life goals and a positive future, helping clients see beyond their addiction.
Why is focusing on the future problematic in addiction treatment?
Focusing on an uncertain future without addictive behavior can provoke anxiety and hinder motivation for change, especially if the future is perceived as vague.
How does nostalgia work as a motivator for change in addiction recovery?
Nostalgia for the pre-addicted self can inspire individuals to reclaim aspects of their past, thereby motivating positive behavior change.
What is the role of nostalgia in behavior change, according to studies on gambling and drinking?
Studies have shown that feeling nostalgic about one’s life before addiction increases readiness to change and actual attempts at behavior change.
What challenges do disorder-related nostalgias present in recovery?
Nostalgizing the perceived benefits of an unhealthy behavior (e.g., eating disorders) can undermine intentions to remain in recovery and potentially lead to relapse.
What is another common barieer Wohl looks at
reinforcing relationships or group memberships, can either hinder or facilitate behavior change, as social circles may encourage addictive behavior or support recovery efforts
What is the starting premise of many treatment modalities for unhealthy or addictive behavior?
They start with the premise that addiction can lead to a loss of the true sense of self.
What aim do treatment providers have when motivating people to change?
They attempt to build a bridge to a more positive future by focusing on individuals’ life goals.
Define self-continuity in the context of addiction treatment.
core aspect of the self that traverses time and space, which addiction tends to shatter, creating a sense of self-discontinuity.
What is self-discontinuity?
A state where the individual believes that their core self does not exist anymore due to addiction undermining their identity.
How is self-concept relevant in treatment?
It involves understanding oneself through
1. self-schemas,
2. past self,
3. present self,
4. future/possible selves.
What has research shown about the effects of nostalgia?
- heightened positive affect,
- self-regard,
- a strong sense of belonging,
- meaning in life,
- and self-continuity.
What were the findings of Michael Wohl’s Study 1 on gambling disorder?
A sense of self-discontinuity associated with gambling disorder was linked to nostalgic reverie, and the more individuals nostalgized about life before gambling, the more ready they were to change their behavior.
What was the approach and finding of Michael Wohl’s Study 2 on gambling disorder?
The study involved a manipulation highlighting the impact of addictive behavior on self-continuity. Those experiencing discontinuity felt heightened nostalgia and showed greater readiness to change
What is the butterfly effect in the context of behavior change?
Small changes in one’s behavior or mindset can lead to disproportionate changes elsewhere in their life
What are the two themes from Michael Wohl’s presentation?
- Nostalgia facilitates healthy behavior change when focused on life before unhealthy behavior.
- Nostalgia undermines healthy behavior change when focused on the perceived benefits of engaging in unhealthy behavior
How does alcohol affect the brain’s neurotransmitters?
Alcohol binds to GABA receptors enhancing inhibitory signals, activates opioid receptors releasing endorphins, which in turn trigger dopamine release, and blocks glutamate receptors, preventing excitatory signals.
What are the consequences of alcohol consumption on neurodegeneration and withdrawal?
- reduced neuron production,
- changes in brain volume affecting executive functions,
- impaired ability to inhibit impulsive behavior,
- physiological withdrawal changes, and
- delirium tremens (DT)
What is the legal status of cocaine in Canada?
Cocaine is a Schedule I drug under the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, with penalties ranging up to life imprisonment for trafficking and production
Describe the neurobiology of cocaine addiction
Cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain by blocking the dopamine transporter, leading to increased excitatory neurotransmitter activity and significant changes in brain function and structure.
What are the health consequences of cocaine use?
Health consequences include psychiatric symptoms like delusions and paranoia, psychosis, suicidality, withdrawal symptoms including negative affect and insomnia, and risks of overdose leading to seizures or death
How does nicotine addiction function in terms of neurobiology?
Nicotine stimulates glutamate release (increasing dopamine release) and blocks GABA release (maintaining dopamine levels), affecting the brain’s reward pathways and leading to addiction.
What are the health consequences of tobacco smoking?
Consequences include risks of various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and cravings