Addiction

Addiction

1. BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

   • SMOKING
     • INITIATION:Multiple genes in nicotine addiction, more likely to have A! variant od DRD2 gene. Heritability nicotine dependance = 60-70%. could have inherited more sensitive mesolimbic dopamine pathway, leading to higher dop.
       • AO2: meta-analysis, Thorgeisson et al (2008) data from 140,00 people - are DNA variants associated to with starting smoking. however correlational
     • MAINTENANCE: Nicotine Regulation Model, need to maintain nic levels to avoid withdraw symp. include lowered mood. all drugs overstimulate dop pathways in mesolimbic reward pathway and flood the brain. Dop important of mood and emotion and motivation. increased levels= intense pleasure, keep smoking to mainain this.
       • AO2: Schacter(1977) double blind study, strong evi, 4 week period ppts smoked low and high nic cigs, found smoked 25% more of low nic cigs.
     • RELAPSE: nic addic leads to long lasting changes in the way the mesolimbic pathway deals with dop. it takes time to readjust after nic stopped leading to withdrawal symptoms, severity of these can lead to relapse. mesolimbic pathway associated with memory and motivation so makes them highly sensitive to reminders= relapse
       • AO2: Calvert (2009) ex smokers looking at cigs increased activity in NAcc leading to cravings suggesting bio trigger.
   • GAMBLING
     • INITIATION:Gambling addic more likely to have A1 variant of DRD2
       • AO2: Slutske (2010) concordance rates of MZ&DZ twins, 5000 individuals, concordance rate X2 higher for MZ
     • MAINTENANCE: due to activation of dop system. Buzz of winning is followed by a rise in dop and adreanaline and activation of brains reward system.
       • AO2:Chase and Clark (2010) 24 reg g's and completed a slot machines whilst scaned using FMRI. increased activity in mesolimbic system resulted from wins and near misses. more addicted more response.
     • RELAPSE:leads to long lasting changes in way mesolimbic pathway deals with dop. needs time to readjust, severity of withdrawl symptoms leads to relapse. Mesolimbic pathway associated with memory and motivation, highly sensitive to reminders, relapse.
       • AO2: Wray and Dickerson (1981) stopping G results in same withdrawl symptoms as stopping drugs. 60% of pathological g's reported physical side effects, insomnia, loss of apetite, muscle weakness. sometimes more severe than those stopping drugs.

2. LEARNING APPROACH

   • SMOKING
     • INITIATION: Social Learning Theory can explain, through moddeling and vicarious reinforcement. seeing parents/valued role models can lead to starting, more likely if role model same sex, ethinicity, age or high status.
       • AO2: Gilman(2009) observation of parents smoking leads to increased chances child starting by factor of 2. if parents anti smoking child 7X less likely to start. NIDA (2005) 90% of US smokers started as adolecents
     • MAINTENANCE: Operant Conditioning. a) positive reinforcement: continuing enables child to obtain powerful positvive reinforcement of peer approval.allowing them into a desired social group, reduce bullying, making them happier. Maintained to keep friends and other benefits e.g weightloss. b) negative reinforcement: continue to avoid withdrawal symp
       • AO2: Snow and Bruce (2002) self report 241 teen girls, continuing to smoke enhanced social reputation and group membership.
     • RELAPSE: Classical Conditioning has led to the cue reactivity paradigm.smokers link materials associated with smoking with smoking itself eg touching a lighter.since smoking is very common
       • AO2: Marlat and George (1984) when multiple cues are present leads to addict anticipating drug, generates bad cravings, then relapse. usually in areas where cigs are redily available.
   • GAMBLING
     • INITIATION:Social Learning Theory , moddeling and vicarious reinforcement. seeing parents/valued role models gambling can lead to someone starting. can also benefit such as money, arousal/excitment and social rewards.
       • AO2: Gupta (1997) observation and moddeling of G behaviour of parents/peers was sig influence on G behaviour in children. 477 children(aged 9-14) 86% of children who G reported doing it with parents.
     • MAINTENANCE: Operant Conditioning a) positive reinforcement: G is reinforced by both the reward of the money and the buzz, continue to experience this. b) negative reinforcement: continue to avoid withdrawal symp. the fact that if they dont win but carry on is explained by variable schedule reinforcement.
       • AO2: Griffiths (2009) g is particualrly addictive becuase reinforced in many ways, phsiological, psychological, social and financial rewards. learning theory - sounds, bright colours and lighting.
     • RELAPSE: Classical Conditioning has led to cue reactivity paradigm. G's link items or situs with g.shops selling scratch cards ect.also relapse through negative reinforcement, avoiding withdrawal symptoms.
       • AO2: Marlatt (1990) Practical applications: importance of cues triggering relapse is evident because an effective intervention is cue-exposure treatment - developing coping skills