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Psychology of Addiction

Core Characteristics

Addiction is defined by a set of core characteristics that reflect a loss of control over substance use or behaviour. Understanding these features is crucial for diagnosis and intervention.

1

Craving

A strong desire or urge to use the substance or engage in the behaviour.
2

Loss of Control

Inability to stop or reduce use despite intentions.
3

Tolerance

Needing higher doses or more intense engagement to achieve the same effect.
4

Withdrawal

Unpleasant physical or psychological effects when usage stops.
5

Neglect of Interests

Addiction leads to social, occupational, or personal problems.

The Dopamine Reward Pathway

Neurochemical Basis

The biological approach explains addiction primarily through neurochemical mechanisms. The dopamine reward pathway, especially the mesolimbic system (including the nucleus accumbens), mediates feelings of pleasure.

Addictive drugs increase dopamine release or block its reuptake, creating strong reinforcement that encourages repeated use. Over time, the brain undergoes neuroadaptation, leading to tolerance and compulsive use.

Genetic Vulnerability

Addiction Risk = Genetics + Environment
Heritability of addiction is moderate to high. Specific genes, such as variations in dopamine receptors (DRD2), affect sensitivity of neural reward circuits, increasing individual susceptibility.

Learning & Reinforcement

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How do environmental cues cause a relapse?
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Classical Conditioning! Cues (e.g., location, stress) associated with substance use trigger cravings. Operant conditioning maintains it via positive (pleasure) and negative (withdrawal relief) reinforcement.

Psychological Risk Factors

Individuals differences in personality and cognition greatly influence addiction susceptibility.

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Impulsivity

A core personality trait predicting higher risk and lower self-control.
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Self-Medication

Using substances to relieve stress or emotional problems (poor coping skills).
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Cognitive Bias

Distorted thinking patterns like denial or optimistic bias (“I can quit anytime”).

Social Context Criticality

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Adolescent Vulnerability: Social environment plays a key role. Peer pressure and social learning (observing peers/family using substances) significantly increase the likelihood of initiation and maintenance during adolescence.

Evaluation: Strengths & Weaknesses

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Biological StrengthsStrong empirical support from neuroscience and genetics. Explains mechanism of tolerance and physical dependence.
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Biological LimitationsOften neglects psychological and social contexts needed for recovery. Genetics explain vulnerability but not inevitability (reductionist).
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Psychological/Social StrengthsInsight into individual risk factors (e.g., coping skills) and environmental influence. Enables development of specific therapies (CBT).
❌
Psychological/Social LimitationsMay understate powerful biological constraints (neuroadaptation). Social factors sometimes understate individual agency in recovery.

Treatment Modalities

A comprehensive approach to treating addiction integrates biological, psychological, and social interventions targeting different facets of the dependency.

B

Biological Methods (Pharmacotherapy)

Drugs like methadone or nicotine replacement therapy to reduce withdrawal. Medications that block drug effects (e.g., naltrexone for opioids). Effective for stabilising physical dependence.
P

Psychological Methods (CBT/MI)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) addresses thought patterns and coping mechanisms. Motivational Interviewing (MI) enhances readiness to change.
S

Social Methods (Support)

Community support groups (AA), family therapy, and altering the social environment to reduce triggers and improve recovery chances.

Modification Efficacy & Ethics

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EfficacyPsychological therapies show good evidence for sustained recovery. Pharmacological treatments are excellent for initial stabilisation of physical dependence.
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Limitations & EthicsPharmacological treatments are rarely sufficient alone. Psychological therapies require high patient motivation. Ethical issues include informed consent and ensuring equitable access to treatment (social justice).
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Characteristics of Addiction
Term
Addiction

What is addiction?

Answer
Definition

A chronic condition of compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite harmful consequences.

Term
Craving

Name one key feature of addiction related to desire.

Answer
Definition

A strong urge to use a substance or engage in a behaviour.

Term
Loss of Control

What does loss of control mean in addiction?

Answer
Definition

The inability to stop or reduce use despite intentions.

Term
Tolerance

What is tolerance in addiction?

Answer
Definition

Needing higher doses or more intense use to achieve the same effect.

Term
Withdrawal

What happens during withdrawal?

Answer
Definition

Unpleasant physical or psychological symptoms occur when use stops.

Term
Neglect of Interests

How does addiction affect interests and responsibilities?

Answer
Effect

Leads to neglect of social, occupational, or personal interests.

Term
Dopamine Reward Pathway

What brain pathway is central to biological explanations of addiction?

Answer
Pathway

The dopamine reward pathway, especially the mesolimbic system.

Term
Effect of Addictive Drugs

How do addictive drugs affect dopamine?

Answer
Effect

Increase dopamine release or block its reuptake, reinforcing use.

Term
Genetics and Addiction

What role do genetics play in addiction?

Answer
Role

Genetic variations influence susceptibility, such as genes affecting dopamine receptors.

Term
Personality Traits

Which personality traits are linked to higher addiction risk?

Answer
Traits

High impulsivity, sensation seeking, and low conscientiousness.

Term
Learning Theories

How do learning theories explain addiction maintenance?

Answer
Explanation

Through classical conditioning (cues trigger cravings) and operant conditioning (reinforcement).

Term
Cognitive Distortions

What cognitive distortions support addiction behaviour?

Answer
Examples

Denial, optimistic bias, and attentional bias toward substance cues.

Term
Social Environment

How does social environment influence addiction?

Answer
Influence

Peer pressure, cultural norms, and socioeconomic factors affect initiation and maintenance.

Term
Biological Treatments

What treatment methods are used biologically?

Answer
Methods

Pharmacotherapy such as methadone, nicotine replacement, naltrexone.

Term
Psychological Treatment

Name a psychological treatment for addiction.

Answer
Treatment

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Term
Social Treatments

How do social treatments help with addiction?

Answer
Methods

Support groups, family therapy, and changes in social environments.

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🌸 Characteristics of Addiction Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes tolerance in addiction?

Tolerance involves requiring increased amounts of a substance to achieve the original effect.

2. The dopamine reward pathway primarily involves which brain area?

The nucleus accumbens is central in the brain’s reward system related to addiction.

3. Which personality trait is NOT typically linked to higher addiction risk?

Higher conscientiousness generally reduces risk of addiction.

4. How does classical conditioning contribute to addiction?

Environmental cues trigger cravings through learned associations.

5. Which of the following is an example of a biological treatment for addiction?

Methadone is a pharmacological treatment to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • AS & A Level
  • Addiction
  • WJEC