Nicotine Addiction Flashcards
Explain the smoking initiation: genes and DA function
-Some people inherit a genetic vulnerability to start smoking and develop an addiction
-Candidate gene - A1DRD2 variation
-Codes for defective + insufficient DA receptors in brain’s reward circuitry (= some indvs can’t produce pleasure naturally)
= engaging smoking behav raises DA to optimal levels
Explain smoking maintenance short
As nicotine is a stimulant it increases the prod and activity of DA in brain
Tend to find this rewarding - leads to repetition of behaviour
smoking maintenance depth description
nicotine stimulates specific acetylcholine receptors in the brain (NAcR - nicotinic acetylcholine receptors) which increases alertness, memory function, learning
- causes rise in DA activity in ventral tegmental area VTA - critical area in brain’s rewarding circuitry which is highly populated with NAcR (underlines rewarding sensations linked to smoking)
- VTA activity caused by nicotine is projected to the nucleus accumbens (producer of DA that is located deep in mesolimbic DA pathway)
- nucleus accumbens is the primary reward centre in the brain and with an increase in DA activity = users evaluate ‘smoking’ as very pleasurable, compelling further use
(really rewarding)
FURTHERMORE, nucleus accumbens is encouraged to release more DA as nicotine also stimulates endorphins (secondary impacat) that reduce GABA activity in the nucleus accumbens - decrease in GABA function correlates with further rises in DA (GABA suppresses DA) - more DA forces smoker to engage with further use
positive EV for brain chem and DA in nicotine addiction
evidence - PATERSON; research with epilepsy drug (gamma-vinyl GABA) - reduces surge of DA in the nucleus accumbens that occurs after nicotine - effectively reduces the addictive properties of nicotine (w/o major side effects)
= nicotine activates DA and stopping this action can help with cessation
biochemical explnation has led to useful practical applications - delivering therapeutic doses of nicotine (w/o desirable parts of tobacco) in EARLY STAGES of stopping smoking - release of nicotine is absorbed much more slowly and steadily than in tobacco
- use of inhalers shown to keep 28% treament group off fags for 12 months
= brain chem account has potential to help 19% smokers in UK
negative EV brain chem expl for nicotine addiction
accused of beta bias (minising gender differences)
- neglects to address and explain the differences between male and female addictions
- NERIN + JANE argue the onset of smoking addiction is significantly different between sexes (woman typically start smoking much later than men) - biological reasoning for this is ignored
= suffers from implicit gender bias
what is smoking initiation (SLT)
according to survey conducted by NIDA - 90% US smokers claimed they took up the habit as a teenager and most attributed this to watching their friends + family members
explain smoking initiation via SLT
children observe higher status role models (parents) at home consuming nic
OR alternatively watch equal status role models (peers) enjoying the reward (appearing much calmer and relaxed)
- seeing this (negative vicarious reinforcement) holds attention
- through repeated use remain in memory
due to increased access to nic (from friends/ family) - seen as acceptable and legitimate = full addiction
explain smoking maintenance - consequential learning and peer acceptance
immediate reinforcement and LT consequences (operant conditioning)
- SKINNER; immediate reinforcers (stress relief, relaxation) take precedence over the LT consequences (cancer, stained teeth) of addictive behaviours
- 25% inhaled nic reaches brain in less than 10 seconds - validates this argument
specific form of reinforcement relevant to smoking is peer acceptance
- MILTON found that young smokers identified peer influence as an important factor in smoking and the rejection from a peer group as key
= through social modelling and interaction, peer acceptance acts like reinforcement that helps maintain smoking behaviour
explain CUE REACTIVITY - smoking maintenance and relapse
maintenance = negative reinforcement (operant conditioning)
- as effects of tobacco start to wear off with repeated exposure, users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (nausea, cravings)
- taking more nic stops these occurring
- as further use removes neg states + provides more pleasure - likely to INCREASE frequency of smoking and subsequent addiction
= maintaining pleasurable effects from tobacco acts as a negative reinforcer
relapse = cue reactivity (CC)
- CC claims smoking is often maintained and relapsed due to TRIGGERS/ CUES (CS) in env that we have learnt to associate with smoking addiction
- through CC these cues (CS) will elicit CR even in the absence of the actual smoking behaviour
- this si sometimes attributed as the reason wjy exsmokers relapse as they return to same env and friends (with same cues present)
- when people return to smoking behaviours, ingesting the nicotine acts as a negative reinforcer because it removges rhe temporary withdrawal sym,ptoms, compelling people to further use
positive EV SLT nciotine addiction
practical applications
- cue exposure involves presenting the cue to the indv an dhelping them control their reaction to it (coping strategies)
- response of ‘smoking’ in presence of alcohol fades away
- thought to be more effective than simply trying to avoid cues (or never associating with smoking freinds)
= behavioural account can help rid themselves of the bhabit
