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Reducing Addiction: Biological Interventions - Coggle Diagram
Reducing Addiction: Biological Interventions
Biological Interventions:
Aversive
eg. Disulfiram
How it works:
Act like a substitute drug, mimics heroin without the 'high', dose reduces withdrawal symptoms
Issues:
Not treatment just maintaining
Drugs are taken on top
Side effects
Agonist
eg. Methadone
How it works:
Block the usual effects of a drug by filling receptor sites
Issues:
Deterministic - biological approach
Side effects
Antagonist
eg. Naltrexone
How it works:
Produces unpleasant consequences - creates hypersensitivity to alcohol
Issues:
Ethics
Side effects
Must stop taking alcohol to take treatment
NRT
(nicotine replacement therapy) eg. Nicotine patches
How it works:
Deliver a hit without damaging chemicals in smoke, desensitise nicotine receptors over time, reduced over time to manage withdrawal
Issues:
Sleep problems
Cost money
Side effects
Evaluation:
Hartmann-Boyce (2018)
Study:
Meta-analysis of 136 high quality research studies into the effectiveness of NRT - 65,000 ppts
Findings:
NRT products increased rate of quitting by up to 60% - also indicated it does not seem to foster independence
Conclusions:
All forms of NRT were significantly more effective in helping smokers quit than both placebo and no therapy at all - effective - saves lives, reduces costs to NHS
Evaluation:
Methodological criticisms:
Meta-analysis, powerful - 'research about research'
Real-life applications:
Safe to use, positive impact/effects to the economy
Supports the neurochemical explanation of nicotine addiction
Overall evaluation: Drug Therapy
Side effects are the main issue
Convenient
Removes stigma
Individual differences
Not time consuming
Removes blame
Patient requires less motivation
Support from research
Helps prevent relapse
Drug Therapy for Gambling Exists:
Not widely used, Naltrexone reduces dopamine which is the 'high' in gambling