Psychology 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Reward System, Basal Forebrain, Narcotics Anonymous

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Drug addiction is a medical problem that has a physiological or psychological component. Treatments for a drug addiction address both physiological + psychological symptoms. For serious addictions, hospitalization might be needed as the patient goes through withdrawal, to ensure patient doesn"t hurt themselves, and the patient gets used to operating w/o drug. To treat, detoxification (detox) separating addict from the drug. Sometimes require strong medications for strong addictions (have to break the addiction cycle). Often have to address symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, pain, etc: ex. Opioids such as heroine act at neural receptor site for endorphins to reduce pain and give euphoria (a highly addicting substance). Methadone activates opiate receptors, but acts more slowly, so it dampens the high. Reduces cravings, eases withdrawal, and if heroine is taken the user can"t experience the high because receptors are already filled with longer-acting methadone: ex.