Addiction

• What is Addiction ?

  The persistent, compulsive dependence on a behaviour or substance despite its negative consequences
• What is Psychological Dependence ?

  When a person feels compelled to use a substance for its pleasure
• What is Physiological Dependence ?

  A state in which the body has become used to the presence of a substance, so that it is needed for normal functioning
• What is Withdrawal ?

  Unpleasant symptoms that occur when a person reduces or stops the use of a substance
• What is Tolerance ?

  When the body needs higher levels of the substance in order to achieve the same effect
• What are the Risk Factors for Addiction ?

  1. Genetics
  2. Stress
  3. Personality
  4. Family Influences
  5. Peer Influences
• How are genetics a risk factor ?

  A person will inherit a predisposition to addiction,

  It is thought they have fewer dopamine receptors so experience life less intensely

  and in order to compensate they will self medicate or be more prone to impulsivity
• What is impulsivity ?

  A personality trait associated with risk ( do not think of the consequences )
• A03 : Evidence to support

  Genetics

  • Kendler and Prescott
  • Compared concordance rate of drug abuse between Mz and Dz Twins
  • Cocaine use : Mz-54%, Dz-42%
  • Cocaine abuse : Mz-47%, Dz-8%
  • Shows that genetics play a role
• A03

  Genetics

  • Focusing on the role of genetics can make researchers forget about the role of free will
  • Therefore can lead to biological determinism as it ignores individual choices
  • which can lead to a lack of understanding
• Why does stress make you more vulnerable to addiction?

  Some people intentionally use pathological behaviour to 'treat' psychological symtoms

  Gelkopf et al Self Medication Model
• A03

  One

  • Evidence to support
  • Tavolacci et al
  • Examined risk factors at university, compared students with high stress to those with low stress
  • Found that high stress was related to alcohol abuse, smoking and cyber addiction
  • Shows that Stress should be considered as it has an effect
• A03

  Two

  • Stress and the perception of stress is subjective, therefore it is difficult to measure
  • It cannot be studied scientifically and objectively
  • Therefore may not be as reliable or valid
• Why does having an impulsive personality make you more vulnerable to addiction ?

  More likely to engage with risky behaviours
• A03

  One

  • Evidence to support
  • Schneider et al
  • Found that novelty seeking was a trait most associated with increased involvement of drug abuse
  • Illustrating that impulsivity is a strong factor affecting addiction
• A03

  Two

  • Findings are correlational so cannot establish cause and effect
  • Someone could develop novelty seeking behaviour as a result of addiction ( especially as most studies are performed retrospectively )
  • Therefore it is difficult to gather reliable data
• What did Biederman et al state ?

  That adolescents who have family member that abuse substances are more likely to also abuse substances themselves
• What three ways can family influence addictive behaviour ?

  Social Learning Theory

  Permissive parental attitudes

  Parental control
• Social learning theory ( in relation to family and addiction ? )

  Behaviours learned through observing role model

  If individual sees role model rewarded for this behaviour ( vicarious reinforcement )

  They will likely imitate the behaviour
• Permissive parental attitudes ?

  If they think that their parents think a certain behaviour is acceptable they are more likely to try it
• Parental control ?

  Adolescents who believe their parents have little interest in monitoring their behaviour are more likely to develop an addiction
• A03

  One

  • Livingston et al
  • Found that students who were allowed to drink at home were more likely to excessively drink at university
  • Demonstrating that permissive parental attitudes do influence young peoples attitudes toward substance use
  • Therefore family is an influential factor
• A03

  Two

  • It is difficult to separate and measure the influence of family away from other influences such as the media and peers
  • The studies are also correlational so cannot establish cause and effect
  • So you cannot say for certain that family causes you to develop an addiction
• What are 3 ways in which peers can influence the development of an addiction ?

  Influence on attitudes and norms

  Role of reinforcement

  Easy access
• Attitudes and norms ?

  Members of group represent behaviours as positive and acceptable, the individual can end up increasing their consumption in order to 'keep up'
• Role of reinforcement ?

  Vicarious reinforcement - seeing role models rewarded for their addiction related behaviours

  Positive reinforcement - Giving into peer pressure can be rewarding e.g. increased social status
• Easy access ?

  Individuals peer group may provide easy access to the focus of the addiction
• What is the brain neurochemistry explanation for nicotine addiction ?

  Nicotine binds to receptors ( ventral tegmental area )

  ( Nucleus accumbens ) then release dopamine

  which brings about feelings of pleasure
• How do people end up addicted to nicotine ?

  Nicotinic receptors become down regulated and desensitised

  which leads to tolerance

  so you have to smoke more to reach the same effect
• What are some withdrawal symptoms ?

  Irritability

  Insomnia

  Change in appetite

  Coughing
• A03

  One

  • Evidence to support that dopamine is a key component in Nicotine addiction
  • Paterson and Markou
  • Used a drug that reduces the surge of dopamine after taking nicotine
  • This reduced addictive tendencies of nicotine
  • therefore neurochemistry explanation is valid
• A03

  Two

  • The explanation has led to development of treatments for nicotine addiction
  • E.g. Patches, Gum, Lozenges
  • To help reduce withdrawal symptoms
  • So it has helped many people to quit and lead healthier lifestyles, therefore is useful
• A03

  Three

  • This explanation is biologically deterministic
  • It doesn't account for other factors such as family or peer pressure
  • Therefore it is not holistic and cannot provide a full explanation
• A03

  Four

  • Cannot explain individual differences
  • Shiffman et al
  • Found some smokers did not experience any withdrawal symptoms, nicotine effects people differently
  • This makes the explanation appear reductionist and limited