Jekaterina takes an illegal drug - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 17 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 17
Jekaterina takes an illegal drug. At first, she only took the drug a couple of times a week, but she now takes the drug daily. She finds that she needs to take twice... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Jekaterina takes an illegal drug - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 17 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Define physical dependence on drugs
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Answer
A person is said to be physically dependent on a drug when they have developed tolerance and experience withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance occurs when the body has adapted to the drug and more needs to be taken to feel the same effect as the first time it was taken.
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Answer
In Jekaterina's case, she initially took the drug a couple of times a week but now requires it daily, indicating that her body has developed a tolerance. She finds that she has to take twice as much of the drug to achieve the same effects she experienced when she first used it.
Step 3
Discuss withdrawal symptoms
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Answer
When Jekaterina does not take the drug, she suffers from severe headaches, which are indicative of withdrawal symptoms. This reflects her body’s physical dependence on the drug, as it reacts negatively when the substance is not present.
Step 4
Address psychological dependence
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Jekaterina shows signs of psychological dependence by believing that she cannot manage her stressful job without the drug. This illustrates how her drug use has become intertwined with her coping mechanisms, further complicating her situation.
