1. Specification

3. An addiction is… “A state of Addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by repeated consumption of a drug, natural or synthetic” (World Health Organisation) “An addict is a person addicted to a habit, especially one dependent on a drug” (OED) The central feature of drug addiction is compulsive drug use - loss of control over apparently voluntary acts of drug seeking and drug taking (Goldstein, 1994).

4. Addiction Unit Spec & Qs Substance related disorders = Smoking Impulse control disorders = Gambling Explain and Evaluate the Biological Approach to Addiction Answer & Peer mark: Outline and evaluate the biological model as an explanation for the maintenance of one addictive behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)

6. What is addictive behaviour? The DSM-V has 2 categories: 1.Substance related disorders (smoking) 2.Addictive disorders (gambling) 50 word wonder! Choose one and summarise in 50 words – MAX! Check your neighbours!!

7. Can an addiction be inherited? 100% Inherited Genetics (Nature) 100% Environment Learnt (Nurture) The Biological Approach to Addiction

8. In each model we look at: Initiation Maintenance Relapse Definitions… Write a definition for each

9. Initiation The process of becoming addicted

10. Maintenance Addictive behaviour continues due tolerance or withdrawal (even when aware of the undesirable consequences)

11. Cessation When an addictive behaviour is treated or stopped and finally terminated completely

12. Relapse After a behaviour has been terminated; signs and symptoms begin to show again.

14. Can an addiction be inherited? 100% Inherited Genetics (Nature) 100% Environment Learnt (Nurture) The Biological Approach to Addiction

15. The Brain! What is the focus of the Biological Approach? What neurotransmitters are involved? How can genetics explain gambling? How does it link to the behavioural approach?

16. Assumptions: Addiction is an illness Addiction is irreversible Emphasis on treatment

17. Initiation Addictive drugs trigger the release of dopamine - reward system While the full diversity of drug effects is mediated by multiple neurotransmitters acting in multiple brain regions, most addictive drugs share the common property of increasing dopamine release in the striatum (e.g., Di Chiara and Imperato, 1988; Kuczenski et al., 1991).

18. Opiate (pleasure) pathways can be directly stimulated by heroin, alcohol and nicotine

19. Susceptible people to addictions are born with a more sensitive mesolimbic dopamine pathway (Liebman and Cooper, 1989) Mesolimbic pathways: spontaneously release small amounts of dopamine to maintain stable moods.

20. Maintenance Persistent exposure to a drug eventually leads to a reduction in brain activity Greater Tolerance = More drug use Greater Withdrawal Draw a representation of this… Less effect…

21. Relapse Lasting memories maintain the need for the drug and the positive rewards. Addicts crave the dopamine rush (not just the drug!)

22. Genetic Predisposition Alcohol disorder patients: 36% of their relatives also diagnosed with an alcohol disorder (Merikangas et al, 1998) Heritability of nicotine dependence has been estimated at 60-70% (Kendler, et al, 1999) Heritability of alcohol dependence has been estimated at 39-60% (Heath and Martin, 1993)

25. Can an addiction be inherited? 100% Inherited Genetics (Nature) 100% Environment Learnt (Nurture) The Biological Approach to Addiction

26. Evaluation Game! Create an acronym or image story to remember these terms Generalisability Reliability Application Validity Ethics

27. Evaluation Game! Now apply them to the Biological Approach Generalisability Reliability Application Validity Ethics

28. Individual differences: genetic predisposition or resistance? Does everyone become an addict? Nature AND nurture? Much of the data is correlational… What about Gambling?

29. Outline and evaluate the biological model as an explanation for the maintenance of one addictive behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)