A1 - Behavioural and physiological addiction Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the difference between behavioural and physiological addiction?
Behavioural addiction looks at the role of the environment in the maintenance and relapse of addictive behaviour.
Whereas physiological addiction has a biological focus.
Behavioural Addiction
When a person can become addicted to a behaviour rather than a
chemical substance.
Still produces the same physical affects as chemical substance of
withdrawal and tolerance.
Physiological Addiction
Usually referred to as substance abuse such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine
It has as a physiology effect.
This might include neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. Biological predisposition can suggest that certain persons are vulnerable in early stages of addiction due to their biological makeup, (eg. genetics).
Bio structure can make them susceptible(more likely) to be affected during the maintenance of the addiction. During the relapse, they could be more biologically predisposed to relapsing than others.
2 signs which show physiological addiction
- When a person stops they experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Increased tolerance occurs.
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical messenger which carries messages between neurons.
What is predisposition?
A genetic characteristic you have inherited from your parents that makes you more likely to develop an illness.
What is the maintenance stage?
During the maintenance stage, the goal is to maintain any changes that were made and avoid relapse.
Griffiths’ six components of addiction (1996).
Griffith argued that all 6 features need to be present for a diagnosis of addiction.
Physical and Psychological dependence (Salience)
This means it is impossible for the person to lead a normal life
without the substance or behaviour. It is the most important activity,
the centre of their thinking, their feelings, their behaviour AND it
takes up most of their time.
Other positive behaviours (socialising etc) are neglected and
deteriorate.
When the person is not engaging in the behaviour they are
preoccupied with thoughts about it and crave it in its absence.
Tolerance
This is when an individual requires increased doses of the
substance in order to achieve effects originally produced
previously.
For example, an addicted gambler may need to place bigger
and bigger bets to get the ‘rush’ they used to get from placing
smaller bets.
Withdrawal
-ve effects, both psychological and physical, that result when the addict is prevented from taking part in the activity.
Physical symptoms involve changes to the body.
Psychological is changes to the mind, eg. emotions and thought processes.
Relapse
This is when a person repeatedly goes back to earlier patterns of
dependent behaviour, after having given them up.
This can happen after a very long period of abstinence, or a short period
and is quite common.
Conflict
- Interpersonal conflict – between an addicted person and other
people. The pursuit of short term pleasure can cause conflict
with others: parents, spouse, friends – because other areas of
life are ignored or neglected, or because the addict is not being
successful in quitting their addiction despite the negative effect it
has on those around them. - Intrapersonal conflict – within the addicted person. They
experience a loss of control because they want to stop behaving
in ways that are damaging, but can’t do so.
Mood Altercation
The addict gets a rush or buzz when engaged in the
behaviour. The addict is also able to use their behaviour to
bring about a mood change.
What is stress?
Stress is an emotional response to situations of threats.
It is an evolutionary response.
What is a stressor?
Anything physiological or psychological that produces a stress response. eg. divorce, examinations.
Both types of stressors cause your body to produce a response
* This response is affected by your perceived ability to cope.
Physical Stressors
There are many things in the environment that create stress, such as temperature, noise, and
overcrowding.
Psychological Stressors
This is the emotional and physiological reaction in a situation where a person don’t have the resources to cope with.
The stress response
The body can respond in two ways to stress.
Physiological Stress – Refers to how the body physically responds to a stressor. Eg. increased heart rate, sweating.
Psychological Stress – Is the emotion you experience when a stressor occurs. This stressor will cause a +ve or -ve response.
What is environmental fit?
The degree to which the environment and individual match.
