physiological treatments

• drug therapy - treatment involving drugs - chemicals in which have a particular effect on the functioning of the brain or some other body system
• types of drug therapies for addiction

  • aversives - produces unpleasant consequences such as vomiting
  • agonists - drug substitutes - attach to receptors on neurons and activate them to produce a similar effect to a drug of addiction - less harmful than addictive drugs - can be administered medically
  • antagonists - attach to neuron receptors and block them - meaning an addictive drug cannot attach and produce its usual effects - do NOT provide the euphoric feelings many addicts crave
• drug therapies work by replacing the addiction with a drug that has similar effects
• nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) - most common treatment for nicotine addiction
• nicotine replacement therapy operates biochemically in the same way we have seen before - molecules attach to receptors in neurons in the VTA area of the brain - this stimulates release of dopamine in the NA

  The nicotine dose can be reduced gradually over time using smaller patches - meaning the withdrawal symptoms can be managed over a period of two to three months - improving a chance of avoiding relapse
• over the counter remedies for stress

  • valerian
  • chamomile
  • lavender
• Valerian - when taken by mouth it is likely safe for adults when used in medicinal amounts short term

  it may cause headaches, stomach problems, insomnia etc

  a few people might be feeling sluggish in the morning after taking valerian - they might experience dry mouth or vivid dreams

  the long term safety of valerian is unknown - might cause withdrawal symptoms when discontinued after long term use
• Chamomile - some people may experience vomiting, skin irritation or allergic reactions after using chamomile.

  topical applications of chamomile have been shown to be effective in the treatment of eczema
• lavender - research suggests that lavender may be of benefit as a complementary treatment for mild to moderate depression

  excessive intake of lavender oil has been reported to cause nausea and drowsiness
• drug treatments for alcohol

  alcohol detox is the first step and during this time alcohol is completely flushed from the body - withdrawal symptoms tend to subside within 1-2 weeks after starting detox
• medication used during alcohol detox

  benzodiazepines

  naltrexone

  disulfram
• benzodiazepines

  anti anxiety drug

  high doses induce sleep

  moderate dose has an anti anxiety effect

  BZs are fast acting in reducing physiological arousal in the CNS

  BZs increase the action of GABA - a neurotransmitter and the bodies natural form of anxiety relief
• benzodiazepines

  when the neurones in the brain respond to GABA it has a quietening effect on them

  the neurons do this by reacting with GABA receptors on the outside of receiving neurones

  GABA locks into these receptors and opens a channel which increases the flow of chloride ions into the neuron - this slows the activity and makes the person feel more relaxed

  BZs slow down serotonin which calms the brain
• naltrexone

  opioid antagonists work by blocking opioid receptors - this reduce the effects of endorphins released by the brain

  this blockage blunts the pleasurable effects of the addictive behaviour

  opioid antagonists results in lower level of the addictive behaviour because pleasure is no longer received
• disulfiram - used as aversion therapy 


  uses the principles of classical conditioning to treat substance addiction

  if the process of classical conditioning then addiction can be removed

  in counter-conditioning, the alcohol is associated with a new unconditioned response - e.g the feeling of sickness or uncomfortableness

  the unpleasant state is aversive so the client gradually loses the desire for the drug
• disulfiram

  the client is given an emetic drug because it causes vomiting.

  they quickly begin to feel ill and begin to vomit after 5-10 minutes

  but before that they are given an alcoholic drink so that the drink is then associated with the aversive stimulus

  this process is repeated several times using higher doses of the emetic drug so that the client learns to stop drinking by use of classical conditioning.
• process of how disulfiram works as an aversive therapy

  
• eval + NIEDERHOFER et al - found that aversion therapy can work for the effectively treating alcoholism
• eval + aversion therapy is effective for those who have not benefited from other treatments
• eval -- the risk of side effects are much more serious e.g NRT may cause dizziness but Naltrexone can cause suicidal thoughts - not a good option for all people
• eval -- there are individual differences which arent to be considered - genes can have an impact which is ignored