Reducing Addiction - Drug Therapy

Question 1

What are the three ways to reduce addictions?

Answer 1

Drug therapy
Behavioural interventions - aversion therapy and covert sensitisation
CBT

Question 2

What is the drug therapy for a nicotine addiction and what is the aim?

Answer 2

Nicotine replacement therapy is an agonist substitute method which aims to provide nic from a less harmful source e.g. patches or gum

Question 3

How does NRT as a drug therapy for nic add work? (6)

Answer 3

• NRT stimulates nic receptors, activating brains reward pathway thru release of dop
• this then stimulates receptors in nucleus accumbens creating same pleasure as smoking a cig
• this can then lead to reduction in withdrawal symptoms and stop cravings which removes unpleasant circumstances of quitting so NRT neg reinforces indv so continues with NRT
• NRT also desensitises nic receptors in brain as only some are full due to release of only small amounts of nic
• this causes number of receptors to dec, reducing cravings, less chance of relapse
• addict can gradually reduce dosage of nic as their tolerance to nic is reduced

Question 4

What is the drug therapy for a gambling addiction and what is the aim?

Answer 4

Opioid antagonist reduces the pleasurable feeling ass with gambling

Question 5

How does an opioid antagonist as a way of reducing a gambling addiction work?

Answer 5

• inc release of nts GABA in mesolimbic pathway
• inc GABA activity reduces release of dop in nucleus accumbens
• reducing urge to gamble

Question 6

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate drug therapy as a way of reducing addiction?

Answer 6

RTS - NRT vs placebo
Strength - little motivation
Weakness - side effects