Addiction

What is physical dependence?

When stopping intake of the addictive substance leads to physical symptoms. It is defined in terms of withdrawal

What is withdrawal syndrome?

A collection of symptoms that are unpleasant, and often dangerous, that occur when a person with a physical dependence stops or significantly reduces their use of the addictive substance

What is psychological dependence?

The compulsion to experience the effects of a substance (usually to increase pleasure or decrease discomfort)

What is tolerance?

When an individuals response to a given amount of a substance is reduced, meaning they need greater doses for the same effect.

What are the two types of tolerance?

• Behavioural- Alcoholics walk slower, so they don’t fall when drunk

• Cross-tolerance- A tolerance to alcohol can also lead to a tolerance ot benzodiazapem. which cna cause issues w/ anasthesia

What are the 5 risk factors in the development of an addiction?

1. Genetic vulnerability

2. Stress

3. Family

4. Peers

5. Personality

What are the two phaes of withdrawal?

1. Acute withdrawal- Begins within hours. Features intense cravings for the substance

2. Prolonged wihtdrawal- Symptoms that continue for months/ years. They become highly sensitive to cues they associate with the addictive behaviour

Evaluate Risk factors for addiction as a whole

• We ignore the effect of the risk factors interacting- Mayes and Suchman (2006) found that the combo of risk factors determined the type and severity of addiction.

• Genes might be most important, as they tie in with most other risk factors, and generally most stem back to it

Expand on genetic vulnerability as a risk factor for addiction

It has two parts to it.

1. Dopamine transmission depends on no of D2 receptors (addicts have low no.s)

2. Pianezza et al. (1998). People without the CYP2A6 enzyme are unable to metabolise nicotine and are less likely to be smokers

Expand on stress as a risk factor for addiction

Andersen and Teicher (2008) found that stressful events in childhood increase the risk of developing an addiction

Expand on Personality as a risk factor for addiction

Robbins (1998). APD can be a causal risk factor, because ppl w/ ADP are more likely to break norms ad so may take drugs etc

Expand on Family as a risk factor for addiction

Livingston et al (2010). People are more likely to smoke if family is in favour of it/ the adolescent percieves that they are in favour

Expand on peers as a risk factor for addiction

Mary O’Connell et al (2009) provide that there are 3 factors to adolescent addictive behaviours.

1. Their ideas abt ddrinking are influenced by their peers and their association

2. Experienced peers provide opportunities to drink

3. Individual overestimates how much peer is drinking, and so overcompensate

Evaluate genetic vulnerability as a risk factor for addiction

Kendler et al (2012) used data from national Swedish adoption study. Found that children with at least 1 parent who had an addiction were at a greater risk of developing an addiction than kids without. Twin studies also support this.

Evaluate stress as a risk factor for addiction

Studies show a strong positive correlation between stressful experiences and addiction. Piazza rate study. Rats that were low responsice (more stressed) were more likely to seek intravenous drugs

Evaluate personality as a risk factor for addiction

Several studies show a co-morbidity between APD and addiction. But correlation is not equal to causation. Bahlmann et al. (2002) interviewed 55 alcoholics, of which 18 had APD. For these, they dound the addiction developed 4 years after the APD. Supports APD causes addiction.

Evaluate family as a risk factor for addiction

Madras et al. (2019). Found a strong positive correlation between parent’s use and children’s use of cannabis.

Evaluate peers as a risk factor for addiction

Marketing strategies that target these thinking patterns lead to a reduction in the influence of such factors

What are nAChRs?

Nicotine/ Acetyl choline receptors. Both nicotine and acetyl choline can bind to these. When they are activated by nicotine molecules, they transmit dopamine. This is followed by shutdown (nAChRs shut down temporarily). This leads to downregulation.

Where are nCHaRs found in the brain?

The ventral tegmentum

How is the common reward pathway involved in pleasure?

Dopamine is transmitted along the mesolimbic system, to the Nucleus Accumbens. This triggers the release of Dopamine into the frontal cortex. Dopamine stimulates pleasure (euphoria), which is eventually associated with smoking through operant conditioning.

Why does withdrawal occur on a neurotransmitter level?

nAChRs become overstimulated by ACh, so reward system isn’t activated.

What are the strengths of the neural explanation of addiction?