Key Question

What is your biological psychology key question?

What are the implications for society if addiction is treated with drug therapy?

What are the implications for society if addiction is treated with drug therapy?

In 2020/21, 210,000 cases of drug related crimes were reported by police officers in England and Wales.

This negatively impacts society as crime rates increase when trying to obtain drugs and when under their influence e.g. burglary to get heroin which releases endorphins.

Also the cost of treating drug addiction is around £3.6bn which could be spent elsewhere e.g. education.

Drug treatments are effective

(AO2)

I: Drug treatments such as methadone can be effective as doses can be reduced in a controlled manner by doctors. This allows addicts to reduce their dependency on opioids more effectively.

J: Repeated drug use leads to a tolerance and withdrawal symptoms leading to increased use. Methadone is an opioid treatments acting on the same receptors in the heroin reward pathway. It reduces cravings without producing a euphoric high.

E: By subsiding the withdrawal symptoms, addicts are less likely to commit crime to obtain drugs - making society safer.