HLTHAGE 2L03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Rat Park, Spontaneous Remission, Disulfiram
3 Feb 2020
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Addiction as a disease jan 8th 2020. Susceptibility: festifc difference in metabolism, tolerance, sensitivity. No addiction gene but area of genes es that increases susceptibility. Genese do not guide initial drug usage, but may prolong use. Evolutionary theorists posit that reward patwhway developed to encourage behaviours (eating, sex) that led to survival/ drugs stimulate same centres in the brain this perspective says: some people are addicts or will become. Over time drugs produce less reward ( less dopamine, less serotonin) and thus people need (crave) more drugs to feel the same. This perspective says anyone who uses the substances can become addicted. Important activities given up because of use: recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill roles, recurrent use resulting in physically hazardous behaviour, continues to use. Definitions of symptoms are broader, and criteria thresholds are lower (one needs fewer symptoms) than previous editions, so more people qualify for diagnosis. Easier to now qualify as having addiction.
