Addiction

Heroin

Specification Page 48
1. b) Define and use psychological terminology appropriately and accurately including the terms:

i substance misuse ii tolerance iii physical dependence iv psychological dependence v withdrawal

Specification Page 49
3. c) Describe, with reference to heroin and one other drug from alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, smoking/nicotine: i mode of action (e.g. at the synapse) ii effects iii tolerance iv physical and/or psychological dependencies v withdrawal

What is Addiction?

Doctors call a drug addictive if it makes you dependent on the drug. Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms appear unless you take the drug. Addictive drugs also make you crave them - you have an overwhelming urge to continue taking the drug, even after withdrawal symptoms have disappeared.

Tolerance

More of the drug is needed to obtain the feelings that were produced at first.
A stage may be reached where no amount of the drug will achieve the resulting high. Simply take the drug to delay withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal

Unpleasant symptoms occur when the drug is not taken, such as sickness and depression.
Can get rid of the withdrawal symptoms by taking the drug again. This leads to a cycle of drug taking where users may try to stop but then have to take it again to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

What is the difference between biological/physiological addiction and psychological addiction?

Biological Addiction

The body becomes dependant on the drug.

Without it, severe withdrawal symptoms occur such as pain or sickness.

Body becomes used to the drug and causes a physical reaction if the dont receive it. Body develops a tolerance to the drug require more of it to have an effect.

Psychological Addiction

Conscious desire to obtain drug out of a perceived need for its affect. User might say it makes them feel good or calm down. May use drug to escape from real-life. Think it is the only way they can cope.

Matching Task
You need to know the definitions of these key terms

Addiction

What is the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction? When does drug abuse become addiction?

Addiction

Drug abuse is initially a voluntary behaviour Continuum of drug abuse and drug addiction Can reach addiction at different points depending on the individual
Drug Abuse Drug Addiction

No use

Abuse is voluntary; addiction is the continued compulsive drug use despite adverse health or social consequences.

Heroin

Tolerance Physical and/or psychological dependencies

Withdrawal

Heroin

Tolerance
Reward circuit becomes highly activated Over-production of dopamine The body has to adapt to the heroin try and achieve homeostasis (balance) Reduces the amount of dopamine produced More enzymes are produced to break it down Stifles the brain's reward circuit through inhibitionthe same-old dose of drug is less rewarding

Heroin

Tolerance
Heroin rapidly develops tolerance Users very quickly need increasing amounts of it to get the high Eventually just take heroin to delay unpleasant withdrawal symptoms

Heroin

Physical Dependence Linked to tolerance need increasing amounts to reach high so become physically dependent. Body is used to functioning with heroin so needs it for normal functioning. E.g. Brain of heroin users produce less endorphins so addicts will rely on heroin for pleasure and reduction of pain.

Heroin
-

Psychological Dependence Heroin becomes a great importance in their life. Important for persons mental state. Often taken by people with living difficulties, no self-esteem and employment problems Heroin gives users a feeling of pleasure and dulls the senses dont despair as much.

Heroin

Withdrawal Usually start within 12 hours of last fix. Severity of withdrawal is dependent on the level of addiction Starts with agitation and restlessness

Heroin

Withdrawal
After a day, become more agitated and restless Then skin crawl itchy blood Cramps and vomiting Diarrhoea and sweating Twitching and shaking Muscle ache and pain

Heroin
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Withdrawal Usually go after about a week. Sudden withdrawal after sustained use can cause death.

Diary of Heroin Addiction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7thZbHTvZIQ

Task

In your case studies, try to pick out signs for tolerance, withdrawal and physical and psychological dependency

Task

Have a go at the past paper questions on heroin addiction

Some startling statistics

Heroin overdoses have caused more deaths than traffic accidents in the past several years The use of Heroin has quadrupled in the last 15 years 1.2 million people in the UK use Heroin 300,000 children live with parents who have serious heroin addiction