Describing addiction Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is addiction?
A disorder where an individual takes a substance or engages in a behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.
What is a physical dependence
- demonstrated by the presence of unpleasant physical symptoms (withdrawal syndrome). Person depends on drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms and function normally.
- accompanied by increased tolerance to the drug, in that the user requires increased doses in order to obtain the desired effect.
What is psychological dependence?
Occurs when a drug becomes a central part of an individual’s thoughts, emotions and activities.
- demonstrated by a strong urge to use the drug, despite being aware of any possible harmful effects
What are cravings?
- An intense desire to repeat the experience associated with a particular drug or activity. The desire to use it again may become so intense that it takes over their thinking completely.
- Abstaining from the drug causes intense cravings to again use the substance
- If cravings are not satisfied, the person begins to feel very anxious, such feelings make ending the addiction difficult.
What is tolerance?
When an individual’s response to a given amount of a drug is reduced, this means they need a greater dose to produce the same effect, causing tolerance
- Individuals can learn to adjust their behaviour to compensate for the effects of a drug
What are the 3 ways tolerance can occur?
- Metabolic tolerance
- Prolonged use
- Learned tolerance
What is metabolic tolerance?
Enzymes responsible for metabolising the drug do this more efficiently over time.
Results in reduced concentrations in the blood and at the sites of drug action, making the effect weaker
How does prolonged drug use lead to tolerance?
Leads to changes in receptor density reducing the response to the normal dose of the drug.
What is learned tolerance?
User experiences reduced drug effects because they have learned to function normally when under the influence
What is withdrawal symptoms
Collection of symptoms associated with abstaining from a drug. Symptoms are the opposite of the ones created by the drug and indicate that a physical dependence has developed.
- symptoms include increased anxiety, shakiness, irritability, and headaches
- motivation for continuing to take the drug is therefore partly to avoid the withdrawal symptoms
What are the two phases of withdrawal
Acute withdrawal
Post-Acute withdrawal
What is acute withdrawal
Begins within hours of drug cessation and gradually resolves over a few weeks.
During this stage the physical cravings are intense and persistent as the body is yet to adjust to the lack of the drug its used to
What is post-acute withdrawal?
Can last for months/years after the person has stopped taking the drug.
Characterised by emotional and psychological turmoil as the addict experiences alternating periods of dysfunction and near normality as the brain slowly reorganises itself
