Addiction

Question 1

Brain neurochemistry explanation to nicotine addiction. (INTRO)

Answer 1

intro: internal expl to BP, suggesting its due to neurotransmitters regulate psychol functioning as DA
-BP is due to repeated activation of brain reward pathway

Question 2

Outline the brain neourochemistry explanation to a nicotine addiction. (6 marks)
(
link to smoking again)

Answer 2

1.individual smokes a cig , nicotine is inhaled and reaches blood activating nach receptors in less than 10 secs
2.indirectly stimulates the VTA and released DA from the mesolimbic pathway
3. to the D2 receptors on the nucleus accumbens resps for pleasure and euphoria(increase DA activity)
4.when DA hits nac , more DA is released down the mesocortical pathway to pre frontal cortex
5. decision to smoke again

Question 3

Evaluate the brain neurochemistry explanation.
Reduc

Answer 3

-reductionistic, simplifies BP to simple basic basic units of dopamine levels in brain and reward path
-neglects HA- person social background and culture may affect their NAddiction, as they may smoke due to peer pressure, rather than feeling of euphoria

Question 4

Evaluate the brain neurochemistry explanation.
Prac apps

Answer 4

E-principle that NA is caused by high DA levels and activation of the reward path has led to NRT
EX-reducing an individual NA by providing NA in less dosage and in a patch to reduce the tolerance.
L- MP/BP applied psych, in real world

Question 5

Evaluate the brain neurochemistry explanation.
RTS

Answer 5

-RTS the role of DA and MP/BP
-smoking behaviour in SZ people who were taking a typical antipsych drug, DA antagonist and blocks D2 receptors, reducing DA activity levels
-SZ people were more likely to smoke, to get the same feeling of euphoria.

Question 6

2.Learning theory as an explanation to NA. Outline.(6)
Forming +maintaining

Answer 6

1.operant conditioning
2.+ve reinforcement, the indivdual smoke and receives the pleasurable feeling of euphoria
3.repeat the behaviour of smoking to receive same reward of euphoria
4.maintain: stop smoking> withdrawal symptoms> sleep, poor conc> continue to smoke again to avoid unpleasant consenq of WS

Question 7

(MUST)
-2.Cue reactivity into a NA.
-what is a 1’ and 2’ reinforcers
-how do they trigger addiction
-LINK to addiction(smoking again)

Answer 7

1. smoking NA is a primary reinforcer, not learnt and gives a direct effect on DA reward pathway,
2. stimuli that are repeatedly present , 2’ reinforcers(lighter)
   3.associated with pleasure and take properties of 1’ and become rewarding on their own
   4.act as cues and produce craving reaction to NA (cue reac)
   5.reactions>smoke again and relapse

Question 8

EVALUATE LEARNING THEORY AND CUE REACTIVITY to explain nicotine addiction. 3 peels
DRA

Answer 8

1. reductionistic- an individual will smoke again due to +ve/-ve reinforcement
   -smoking due to peers influence rather than reward of euphoria
2. envir deterministic - controlled by +ve/-ve and associations
   -neglects role of free will- make choice to stop smoking due to health reasons
   3 .prac apps - pleasant associations led to behavioural interventions as covert sens and aversion therapy
   -reassociate NA with nausea rather than pleasure

Question 9

Outline the learning theory into explain the formation of a GAMBLING ADDICTION (GA) , include SLT and reinforcements.(6 marks)
-LINK with GA

Answer 9

1. FORMS through SLT , observation of a role model and vicarious reinforcement of a role model being rewarded, enjoyment and money.
2. not direct, through newspaper, and more likely to gamble for the same reward of money gains
3. MAINTAINED through operant conditioning and +/ve > buzz > REPEAT GA

Question 10

MUST- Outline partial reinforcement, include buzz and the fixed or variable. (4 marks)

Answer 10

1. GB is rewarded only some time
   2.limited reinforcement , not become bored
   3.GB more exciting , as they will continue to gamble unsure when they win.
   4.FIXED rate :behaviour is reinforced at predictable times > slot paying every 5 mins > no GA
2. variable > GB unpredictable reinforcement > buzz >more addictive , cant predict when you will

Question 11

EVALUATE learning explanation to GA. 3 peels
DRA

Answer 11

-R
-D- Gambling behaviour controlled by +ve reinforcements and associations of GB with reward buzz excitement causing GA
-neglects free will and make choice to stop gambling due to financial losses, and stress
-A- GA is due to GB and associate with buzz excit , behavioural intervention of aversion therapy
-reassociate GB with negative stimulus of electric shocks rather than pleasure, less likely to gamble

Question 12

Cognitive bias as an explanation to GA. intro.

Answer 12

1. GA is due to faulty thought processing
2. cognitive bias memory, att process , are faulty causing them to make poor decisions
3. influence what gamblers think, pay attention , remember about thier GB

Question 13

Outline 4 cognitive bias as an explanation to GA. (6 marks) NAME all and explain 2
name ,explain, example

Answer 13

1. faulty beliefs of skill of judgement > G.Addicts have illusion of control, overestimate their influence on a random event >skilled at choosing lottery number > ⬆GA
2. personal rituals > more likely to win if they engage in superstitiutos behaviour/luck > picking a specific card > ⬆ GA
3. selective recall > remember certain mems > remember wins and not losses > ⬆ GA
4. faulty perceptions: distor views about their operation of chance > they will win eventually > ⬆ GA

Question 13

Outline 4 cognitive bias as an explanation to GA. (6 marks) NAME all and explain 2
name ,explain, example

Answer 13

1. faulty beliefs of skill of judgement > G.Addicts have illusion of control, overestimate their influence on a random event >skilled at choosing lottery number > ⬆GA
2. personal rituals > more likely to win if they engage in superstitiutos behaviour/luck > picking a specific card > ⬆ GA
3. selective recall > remember certain mems > remember wins and not losses > ⬆ GA
4. faulty perceptions about their operation of chance > they will win eventually > ⬆ GA

Question 14

Evaluate cognitive bias as an explanation to gambling addiction. 3 peels

Answer 14

-deterministic
-alternative /learning- associate GB with buzz > ⬆ GA
-prac apps > principle that GA is due to congnitive biases and faulty though process , making irrational decisions to gamble has led to CBT
-identify, challenge irrational

Question 15

Aim of token economy and AO1 in clinics/hospitals.

Answer 15

-MANAGE sz

AO1: change a patient maladaptive behaviour, easier to manage, better quality life, so they can live outside hospital
-works using operant conditioning , do a desirable , 2’ reinforcers as tokens , can be exchanged for priveleges/goods
-associate with rewards , paired with 1’ reinforcers as sweets

Question 16

Evaluate token economy. 2 peels
Meta.

Answer 16

-RTS the use of MP to manage SZ was cond
-meta analysis finding \MP was useful ⬆ adaptive behaviour of patients as self-hygiene
-studies showed that a combo of drug therapy with CBT alongside was quite effective in reducing mala. behaviours
-effective managment techn of SZ

BUT

-meta analysis is subject to publication bias
-researches himself report the study and they can choose to publish significant results with SZ
patients
-ignore studies that are NOT signif
-IV of the RTS as MP of SZ

Question 17

Outline drug therapy as a treatment of NA.(6 marks).
REPLACING A Nico addiction , link to Nicotine

Answer 17

Aim-to provide nicotine from a less harmful/dosage source as patch
-nicotine stimulates the NAchR and activate DA release , brain reward pathway system, to experience the same feeling of euphoria
-reduce craving and withdrawal symptomps as NRT avoids the consenq of quit smoking
-desensitises NAchr by releasing small amoutn of nico, so fills only some receptors
-⬇ NA receptors, ⬇ reward to smoke,
gradual ⬇ dosage of NA, ⬇tolerance to NA

Question 18

EVALUATE 3 peels for NRT therapy. compare with CBT
TREATMENTS > > M/C > plaecebo

Answer 18

• side effects as sleep distruption, nausea and head
  -stop taking the patch , ⬆ attrition reduced effectiveness,
  -unless CBT which has no side effects as involves identify irrational beliefs causing BP and changing them eg, what’s the evidence BP makes you happier
  -⬇ relapse

BUT

-requires little motivation/commitment
-only need to remember to take patch to experience euphoria and ⬇ withdrawal
-UNLIKE CBT attend long sessions , drop out and relapse
-increasing effectiveness

AND

-RTS reviewed studies comparing NRT and placebo
-more effective into reducing NA and avoiding relapse rather than placebo

Question 19

Outline aversion therapy to reduce addiction.
-aim
-link to reducing addiction

(16 marker include UCN, NS, CS)

Answer 19

AIM; use CC to unlearn a pleasant association eg and replace with an unpleasant assoc eg one in vivo
1. Nicotine > rapid smoking
-take a puff every 6 secs -feel nausea and sick and ASSOCIATE smoking with nausea
-repeat this until they develop an aversion to smoking and reduce BP

2. Gambling
   -think of phrases related to GA as lottery, win alongside normal phrases ‘going home’
   -every time a GA phrase comes = electric shock
   Link : associate gambling with pain rather than pleasure using CC , aversion to GA
   reducing their BP

Question 20

MUST : Outline covert sensitisation to reduce addiction. (6)
associating with an unpleasant scenario
-aim
-link

Answer 20

aim; pleasant associaton replaced with an unpleasant association (disgust) in vitro
1. client is encouraged to relax
2.therapist reads from scrip, aversive scenario
3.imagine they smoking a cig full of feaces (unpleas association)
4.imagine ⬆ vivid imagery
5. therapist goes graphic detail about elements as smell and sound in that scenario
6.associate the NA to unpleasant scenario instead of pleasure

Question 21

Evaluate behavioural interventions . 3 peels

Answer 21

-BOTH motivation and commitment
-attend sessions /imagine a scenario to unlearn an addictive behaviour using CC

-covert avoids chemical dependence as it is non invasive
-good for pregnant women, no phy/emotional effects on baby
-UNLIKE aversion which causes pain vomiting
-more effective

-RTS effectiveness comparing both for GA
-after an year 90% with covert sens had reduced GA compared to only 30% of aversion
-covert is more effective imagining an unpleasant scenario associate with addiction is ⬆ likely to reduce ADDICTION

Question 22

MUST : Outline Prochaska six stage model of change INTRO

Answer 22

1.cyclical and positive approach to changing an addiction compared to all or nothing response
2.individuals readyness to give up an addiction differs and a treatment depends on the stage of an addiction

Question 23

Outline the first three stages of changing an addiction.(3)
avoid 1st stage
-outline stage
-intervention
-quote

Answer 23

-pre contemplation : dont consider their addiction a problem - not thinking about changing -denial
> help them consider changing their ADD
> ‘I am okay rn’

-contemplation : thinking about changing , aware of costs/benefits
> drug therapy , identifying pros (save money)
> ‘I will change tomorrow’

-preparation : benefits of changing AD behaviour outweigh costs, know when but now what to do
> construct a plan with GP
> ‘I am ready for this’

Question 24

Outline the last 3 stages of Prochaska.
relapse can occur any stage apart last

Answer 24

-action : plan is put in action, individual has done sommat in last 6 months to continue their behaviour change eg CBT / no smoking
>develop coping strategies to quit and maintain change in behaviour for 6 months
>’I have stopped’

-Maintenance : changed behaviour for motre than 6 months , the focus is to NO relapse and on LTM goal of terminating
>applying coping strategies and use sources of support to avoid relapse
‘I have still stopped’

-termination : automatic abstinence to ADD behaviour, no longer turn to addictive behaviour
NO intervention
-I will never do it again

Question 25

Evaluate Prochaska model.
self report
+ve stance to behaviour

Answer 25

-prochaska six stage model takes more positive stance in expl how an behaviour change
-does not view relapse as failure but as a dynamic process part of the model of behaviour change
-takes relapse seriously as it could prevent an individual from recovering an ADD
-more appropriate model for behaviour change

-self report > social desirability
-nico addicts lie on how ready they are to give up smoking to present themselves in best light possible
-reducing IV

-does not differentiate between all stages
-have pre contemplation and the rest combined together, as person is thinking of changing their add behaviour but not int he first one
-important as each staged is matched with an intervention

Question 26

Outline CBT. Aim .3 stages
Outline cognitive restr

Answer 26

-identify challenge cognitive distortions to replace an ADDBHVR via cognitive restructuring
1.functional analysis- identify high risk situa trigger their addiction “walking” and what they are thinking before, d, after ADD
2.cognitive restructuringg: dispute their irrational thoughts via empirical disputing , evidence that u always win
3.social skills- how to say no to situa that trigger ADD, withouth embrssment, also avoiding start
4. Homework-apply those social skills in real life