Addiction

Addiction

1. a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behaviour or substance despite an awareness of the associated harms to self and others

   • provides pleasure or stability initially or reduces pain or anxiety
     • becomes problematic when individual grows dependent on substance/behaviour to feel normal or function day to day

2. substance addiction

   • physiological tolerance to a substance as well as the experience of withdrawal

3. behavioural addictions

   • the failure to resist an impulse, drive or temptation that is harmful to the person or others

4. 5 signs

   • 1. compulsion
     • excessive preoccupation with behaviour/substance and overwhelming need to engage in/with it
   • 2. loss of control
     • inability to predict whether each engagement with behaviour/substance will be healthy or negatvie
   • 3. negative consequences
     • e.g. physical damage, legal issues, financial ruin, family dissolution etc.
   • 4. denial
     • inability to see self-destructive nature of behaviour
   • 5. inability to abstain
     • failure to avoid addictive behaviour/substance over a period of time

5. dependence syndrome

   • when the addictive behaviour/substance becomes a priority over previously prioritized behaviours
   • broken down into
     • physiological
       • the adaptive state of brain and bod processes that occurs following regular addictive behaviour
         • tolerance
           • when dosage of substance or frequency of behaviour needs to be increased to achieve the same desired effect
         • physiological withdrawal
           • temporary physical symptoms that occur when substance stops
     • psychological
       • the mind's dependence on a substance or behaviour
         • psychological withdrawal
           • temporary psychological symptoms that occur when a behaviour stops

6. co-dependence

   • self-defeating relationship pattern in which a person helps or encourages addictive behaviour on another
     • often involves putting their needs aside to take care of the person who is addicted
     • find it difficult to set healthy, adaptive boundaries
     • often enables the addictive behaviour

7. enabling

   • protecting a person who is addicted from the consequences of their own behaviour
     • e.g. making excuses for the person, providing them with access to the substance/behaviour
   • can be done knowingly or unknowingly
     • rarely conscious or intential
   • often involves turning a blind eye

8. addictive behaviours

   • process addictions
     • behaviours that are known to be addictive because they are mood altering

9. addictive substances

   • drugs
     • non-nutritional food substances that are intended to affect the structure or function of the mind or body through chemical action
     • categories
       • accessibility
         • prescription
         • over-the-counter (OTC)
         • recreational
         • herbal preparations
         • illicit
           • psychoactive substances
         • commercial
           • paints, glues, cleaners
       • effects
         • stimulants
           • increase central nervous and muscular system activity
             • cocaine
             • methamphetamine
             • caffeine
         • cannabis/marijuana
           • psychoactive stimulant used for recreational and medical purposes
         • depressants
           • decrease central nervous and muscular system activity, causing sleepiness/calmness
             • benzodiazepine
             • barbitruates
             • alcohol
         • opioids (narcotics)
           • induce sleep, relieve pain, produce euphoria
             • morphine
             • codeine
             • vicodin demerol
         • hallucinogens (psychedelics)
           • create auditory or visual hallucinations and unusual changes in mood, thoughts, and feelings
             • LSD
             • MDMA (ecstasy)
         • inhalants
           • chemical vapours that produce highs when sniffed/inhaled
             • nitrous oxide
             • paints
         • anabolic steroids
           • ergogenic drug that promotes muscle growth and strength
       • routes of administration
         • oral ingestion
           • swallowing a tablet, capsule or liquid
         • inhalation
           • sniffing, smoking, or inhaling
         • injection
           • cia hypodermic needle
         • transdermal
           • absorption via skin or tissue lining
         • suppositories
           • absorption via mucous membranes at body temperature
     • how drugs affect the brain
       • pleasure/sense of reward is key
         • strong biological drive to promote survival
         • all addictive behaviours and drugs can trigger the reward circuit
       • affect neurotransmitters by
         • enhancing
         • uppressing
         • interfering
     • drug misuse
       • using for a purpose which it was not intended
         • using a friend's prescription painkiller for headace
         • using Adderall to help study
     • drug abuse
       • excessive use of any drug, with risk of causing serious harm
         • can involve ilicit or prescription, OTC, & recreational drugs
         • leads to tolerance and unintended dependence
         • an result in addiction and negative health complications

10. treatment

    • early intervention is important
    • recovery is a long-term process
    • detoxification
      • early abstinence period during which an addict adjusts physically and cognitively to being free from the addictive substance or behaviour
      • can be dangerous and require medical management
    • treatment options
      • behavioural therapies
        • outpatient or inpatient
        • structured program that involves re-socialised the person to a drug-free lifestye
      • mindfulness-based relapse prevention
        • targets cravings and negative emotions through increased awareness
      • 12-step programs
        • staged approach to admitting the problem, acknowledging past mistakes/harms, helping other people in similar situation
      • social, recreational, and social media support systems
        • involves connecting with others in a space or online platforms without drugs/alcohol
      • vaccines against addictive drugs
        • immunity to the drug's effects leads to reduced motivation to use
      • other pharmacological treatments