Addiction

• Dependence


  A physical need for a substance. Signs are tolerance, needing increasing amounts for the same effect and withdrawal, A range of physical and mental symptoms when substance is stopped
• Addiction


  The compulsive irrational behaviour to use a substance. Behaviour that is out of control ignoring significant negative and harmful consequences
• Substance misuse


  Drugs such as prescription drugs have legal and medical guidelines on their use, misuse is when guidelines are not followed, such as using too high or low of a dose, stopping early or using someone else's prescription
• Substance abuse


  Is when illegal or prescription drugs without medical advice are used by individuals to alter their mental state, producing an emotional "high" often for recreation or in an attempt to self-medicate
• International Classification of Diseases (ICD)


  A medical tool used by psychiatrists for diagnosis
• Diagnosing addiction using the ICD


  1. Symptoms are listed

  2. Patient's experiences are matched
• The ICD is published by the WHO and is regularly updated due to changes in scientific knowledge, currently on version 10
• Symptoms considered for diagnosing addiction


  • A strong desire to use substance(s) despite harmful consequences
  • Difficulty in controlling use
  • A higher priority given to the substance(s) than to other activities or obligations
• A strong desire to use substance(s) despite harmful consequences

  The person with addiction understands negative effects of their actions, but still wants to continue
• Difficulty in controlling use


  Even if the person with addiction wishes to stop or slow their use they are unable to resist
• A higher priority given to the substance(s) than to other activities or obligations


  Family, friends, work and school commitments will be ignored so the addictive
• Clinicians take into consideration the three symptoms over a 12-month period
• Psychological explanation


  Addictive behaviour is due to the influence of environmental factors, as we develop we learn from what happens to us such as socialisation and experience
• Psychological explanation


  Focuses on influence of nurture in shaping addictive behaviour
• Peer influence


  • One aspect of the social environment people find themselves in
• Conformity pressure


  Pressure to change behaviour to fit into the norms of a valued group
• Change in behaviour due to conformity pressure


  Could be the use of an addictive substance
• Social learning theory


  Explains we learn from the observation of others, and then imitate that behaviour
• Social learning theory


  We are especially likely to imitate the behaviour of people we identify with, explaining why teens would the imitate substance abuse of peers
• Research shows both that people are more likely to start using addictive substances as a teenager, and if they have a friends who use the substance
• Many people are able to resist peer influence, so there are likely factors beyond conformity such as as genes and the role of mental health conditions
• It may be the other way, that teens choose a peer group that accepts drug
• Polygenetic


  Studies have not identified an "addiction gene", but it is more likely to be a certain combinations of genes that lead to a vulnerability to addiction
• As many people think addiction is a lack of self control


  Understanding addiction as genetic can reduce stigma and lead to sufferers receiving treatment
• Genes for increased risk of addiction may not exist, but instead there may be genes that make the likelihood of taking drugs originally, such as genes for risk taking behaviour
• Genes cannot produce addiction on their own, there has to be some access available to the addictive substance and experience using the substance
• Aversion Therapy


  Uses the principles of classical conditioning. Clients are exposed to the addictive stimulus (alcohol, cocaine, tobacco) at the same time as an unpleasant stimulus (electric shocks, drugs that cause vomiting). This causes an association between the addictive substance and the negative sensation.
• How Aversion Therapy improves mental health


  • The addictive substance is now associated with the negative sensation. The client will avoid the addictive substance
• Treating addiction using behaviourist principles may be seen as a Reductionist perspective as the reason for addictions is more complex than pleasure seeking
• Sometimes involving other mental health issues
• A Holistic perspective may include treating addiction with aversion therapy alongside CBT
• Evaluation of Aversion Therapy


  • Evidence suggests aversion therapy may be effective in the short term, with a study showing 69% of patients sober one year after alcohol aversion therapy
  • MRI showed reductions in areas associated with craving in the occipital lobe
  • Exposing people to aversion therapy is seen by some as giving a punishment fo mental health condition, causing harm and therefore unethical