PSYCH 162 Lecture 1: Psychology 162 - Psychology of Addiction - Lectures for Midterm 1
Document Summary
Addicted individuals cannot regulate their own behavior, as the area of the brain that allows us to make choices is damaged. Addiction is a disease that translates to abnormal behavior. physical dependence tolerance - increase in amount of substance needed to achieve same effect, decrease in response to same dose. Withdrawal symptoms tolerance and withdrawal are not necessary components of addiction. What is a drug? exerts a physiological effect when ingested (but not food) can be natural or synthetic, medicinal or experimental. Why do people use drugs? to cope, to fit in, to escape, to enhance function, to relieve stress to experience euphoria (positive reinforcement) to feel less bad/reduce anxiety/depression (negative reinforcement) Historically, there are many mentions of problems related to drug use. 2000 bc egyptian priest to pupil: i, thy superior, forbid thee to go to the taverns. 1774-5 ad first continental congress recommended the pernicious practice of liquor production be stopped.
