Biological Interventions for Addiction

• Biological therapies see addiction as a disease and usually involve medication
• They aim for complete abstinence

Agonist substitution: e.g. Nicotine replacement therapy

AO1:

• Agonist: mimics the action of another substance
• Provides a drug that is chemically similar to the addictive drug without the harmful effects

O    Nicotine patches, chewing gum, inhalers

• Nicotine is delivered slowly into the blood stream and break
• It works by reducing withdrawal symptoms - keeps levels of dopamine high
• Desensitises nicotine receptors in the brain and reduces cravings

Use:

• Available in different strengths

• + 10 = 25mg
• -10 = 15mg
   

AO2:

    Effectiveness:

 Silagy Et Al (2002): meta-analyses have concluded that NRT is effective. People who use NRT are twice as likely to quit smoking for at least 6 months compared to control group

... However, although NRT might…