Biological Theories Of Substance Abuse Essay

Knowledge of Theories
Biological theories of drug abuse stem from the fact that they stimulate the reward center of the brain; while there are many theories why people use drugs and alcohol, from biological and personality elements to social and environment influences, no one set of factors can account for all types of substance abuse. It is widely agreed that dependence on drugs involves a number of things from using substances despite health or social problems, tolerance and desire to use, lack of activities due to use, and withdrawal symptoms.
However, addiction affects older adults in major ways that affect their bodies. As Benshoff and Harrawood (2003) reported, “The presence of substances at higher concentration levels suggests that older adults may be significantly more susceptible to substance abuse problems at lower dosages. Drug reactions occur 3 to 7 times more in older people. The threshold for use and abuse is simply too high for the aging adult” (p. 46). As older adults have continually easier access to risky medications they run into the dangers of adverse reactions on their bodies, especially those prescribed for anxiety, pain, and insomnia. Aging makes the body more vulnerable to the effects of these drugs, which is dangerous,

considering that these effects on the cognitive problems associated with age make self-reporting and monitoring unreliable.
This is due to the physiological changes that happen naturally to older adults as they age which result is more sensitivity and less tolerance to alcohol and drugs.

Less body mass, lower metabolism, lowered liver and kidney function lead to drugs having a more profound effect. Cook et al. (1998) emphasized, “Combining medications and alcohol frequently result in significant adverse reactions. Due to a reduction in blood flow to the liver and kidneys in the elderly, there can be a 50 percent decrease in the rate of metabolism of some medications, especially benzodiazepines” (p. 70). Some medications have such a long half-life that many older adults are at increased risk of over medicating, falling, and

overdosing.
In addition, substance abuse is associated with various health and social issues, as well as increasing risks of hospitalization and death. As Bogunovic (2012) reported, “Elderly patients are at greater risk for medical consequences associated with substance abuse. Complications that occur with increasing frequency with age contribute to the potential adverse interactions between substance misuse and an aging brain.” This is due to the presence of additional disorders found among older adults, which are only aggravated with substance abuse, such as coexisting medical conditions, mental impairment or disorders, slowed metabolism, and frailty. These aspects have consequences that can result in liver damage, immune system impairment, and cardiovascular problems.