reducing addiction - drug therapy Flashcards
what are the three main types of drug therapy for addiction.
aversive, agonists and antagonists.
how do all the therapy work
by changing how someone experiences the drug there addicted to.
what are the main effects of Aversives
to produce unpleasant consequences such as vomiting.
what is an example of Aversives
disulfiram - creates the effects of a severe hangover after drinking
how do aversive work
addict will associate alcohol with unpleasant effects instead of pleasant effects. (classical conditioning).
what are agonists activated by and what do they do
neuron receptors
produces a similar effect to the addictive substance
satisfied cravings and controls the withdrawal effects.
stabilise the individual, allowing for a gradual decrease in dose and symptoms.
example of agonists
methadone
used to treat heroine addicts but less harmful side effects that heroine itself.
how do antagonists work
by blocking neuron receptors
substance cannot produce its usual addictive effects
example of antagonist
naltrexone- an opioid antagonist used to treat heroin addiction.
what drug therapy is used for nicotine addicts
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) - gum, inhalers, and patches to deliver nicotine in a less harmful way.
dosage decreases over time.
what type of drug therapy is NRT
operates neurochemically as an agonist by:
1) Activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain.
2) Stimulating the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, just as it does in cigarette smoking.
what drug therapy is used for gambling addicts
antagonists
Gambling addiction taps into the same dopamine reward system as heroin
how dose opioid antagonists work in regards to gambling
Opioid antagonists enhance the release of the neurotransmitter GABA in the mesolimbic pathway.
Increased GABA activity reduces the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens
linked with subsequent reductions in gambling behaviour (e.g. Kim et al., 2001)
