Key question Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the key question?
How effective is drug treatment for addiction?
What is addiction?
A chronic disorder characterised by compulsive drug seeking despite possible consequences
How many deaths does it cause per year?
150000
Why is it dangerous?
Can cause decline in mental health - depression and anxiety
Example of a drug?
Heroin is highly addictive and over time, individuals will require an increasing amount of it to provide the same euphoric feeling that it originally will have done. This is called desensitisation. Addiction may be fuelled by the withdrawal symptoms where individuals look to escape these symptoms and so take more drugs to do so
Example of a drug treatment for addiction?
Methadone acts as a substitute for heroin which provides feelings of pain relief and relaxation without the same euphoria as heroin. There is then a less drastic change between the feeling of being on heroin and the feeling of not being on heroin.
How long does it take to work?
12 weeks - gradually reducing the dose over time until the individual feels they no longer need to take the drug
Why may people be opposed to taking it?
Side affects - constipation, dizziness, feeling tired, nausea, mood changes
What is the impact on society (success rate)?
- Methadone has a 75% success rate
- 85% of those using CBT relapse within a year
What is the mode of action of heroin?
GABA inhibits the release of dopamine - heroin decreases the inhibitory activity of GABA causing an increased about of dopamine to be released - feeling of reward and pleasure felt when being on heroin
