Addiction: Diagnosis, Explanations and Treatment
What addiction is and how it differs from substance misuse, how the ICD diagnoses dependence, the biological and psychological explanations, and the treatments aversion therapy and self-management programmes.
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Understanding addiction
Addiction is a recognised health condition, not simply a bad habit or a lack of willpower. Psychologists study how it is diagnosed, what may cause it, and how it can be treated. This module looks at how addiction differs from ordinary misuse, the two main explanations, and the two main treatments, in a calm and factual way.
Addiction vocabulary
Learn these four terms before you study the detail.
Two explanations
Psychologists explain addiction in two main ways.
Keep the ideas apart
A top answer does not treat every heavy use as an addiction. Misuse is harmful use, while dependence is the stronger, harder-to-control state the ICD sets out. There are two explanations, one about inherited vulnerability and one about the people around you, and two treatments, one built on an unpleasant association and one built on support and steps. Name which is which.
Match the term
- addiction
- substance misuse
- dependence syndrome
- aversion therapy
- a strong need to keep using despite harm
- using a substance in a harmful way
- the signs the ICD uses to diagnose it
- a treatment using an unpleasant link
Explanation or treatment
- inherited vulnerability
- the influence of peers
- aversion therapy
- a self-help group
- part of the biological explanation
- part of the psychological explanation
- a treatment using an unpleasant link
- a self-management treatment
The biological explanation
What does the biological explanation say about addiction?
- Some people inherit a greater vulnerability to it.
- It is learned from the people around you.
- It is simply a free choice each day.
- It is caused by the weather.
Signs of dependence
Select the TWO signs the ICD uses to diagnose dependence.
- A strong desire to use despite the harm.
- Difficulty controlling the use.
- A sudden increase in height.
- Improved eyesight.
Order the path to recovery
Put the steps toward recovery in order, earliest first.
- Recognise the dependence
- Seek help
- Choose a treatment
- Follow the programme
- Maintain recovery over time
Complete the facts
Using a substance in a harmful way is substance _____. The stronger, harder-to-control state is called _____. The biological explanation says some people inherit a greater _____. The psychological explanation points to the influence of _____. A treatment that links the substance to something unpleasant is _____ therapy.
Steps of a programme
A common self-management programme is built around 12 steps. A person has completed 8 of them. Subtract 8 from 12 to find how many steps are left. What is the answer?
Spot the treatments
Tap the TWO treatments for addiction.
- aversion therapy
- a self-management programme
- an inherited vulnerability
- the influence of peers
Explanation or treatment?
Read each idea and decide where it belongs.
- A psychologist says a family history makes some people more likely to become dependent. Which explanation is this?
- A young person takes up a habit because their friends all do it. Which explanation is this?
- A person joins a self-help group and works through its steps with support. What is this?
Explain addiction
Explain how addiction is understood and treated in psychology.
- Explain how dependence differs from substance misuse
- Describe the biological and the psychological explanations
- Describe the two treatments and mention one strength or weakness