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Models related to the etiology of addiction
Models related to the etiology of addiction
Psychology of drug abuse
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Recommended: Models related to the etiology of addiction
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,
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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
The question of nature vs. nurture has been the focus of many debates, especially within the discipline of psychological sciences. This paper will examine the views that exist regarding the importance of contributions to the risk of addiction, specifically, genetic (nature) vs. environmental (nurture) contributions through a review of the existing literature.
It was the late 19th century when a lot of conflict for families from the Industrial Revolution and illegal drugs had easy access to anyone in the United Sates. These illegal drugs like morphine, cocaine, and alcohol were available through manufacture, delivery, and selling. It was proved that the over use of alcohol and violence in families’ homes were linked together around the 1850’s and that women and children were being abused by the father and husband from the letters and journals that were wrote. These were times when women were stay at home mothers and it was the man’s responsibility to be the provider for the wife and children. Because of the abuse in the household it led up to the temperance movement. The purpose
There are many biological factors that are involved with the addicted brain. "The addicted brain is distinctly different from the nonaddicted brain, as manifested by changes in brain metabolic activity, receptor availability, gene expression, and responsiveness to environmental cues." (2) In the brain, there are many changes that take place when drugs enter a person's blood stream. The pathway in the brain that the drugs take is first to the ventral tegmentum to the nucleus accumbens, and the drugs also go to the limbic system and the orbitofrontal cortex, which is called the mesolimbic reward system. The activation of this reward system seems to be the common element in what hooks drug users on drugs (2).
Addiction, like other diseases, has the tendency to be genetic. “Addictive drugs induce adaptive changes in gene expression in the brain’s reward regions” (Bevilacqua and Goldman 359–361). The disease is also influenced by environmental conditions and behavior. Addiction genes can be passed down through family members of many generations. If one has addiction in their genes tries a drug and someone who does not have addiction in their genes and tries the same drug, it is more likely that the person with the gene will become addicted over the one without. Environmental conditions can also be a factor because someone’s lifestyle could contribute to addiction. Factors such as stress and peer pressure can influence drug or alcohol abuse. Behavior can also contribute to addiction because if a person’s attitude is obsessive and they have an addictive personality, they could become addicted to a substance. In “Addiction is Not a Disease” Daniel Akst explains actual diseases are Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia, not addiction. For example, Akst mentions that “addicts tend to quit when the going gets hard” (Akst.) He also clarifies that addicts have the choice to have that extra drink or those extra pills every
Addiction is a very controversial topic. I support the argument that addiction is in fact a disease. Many believe that once you’re addicted it is just a matter of hard work and willpower to overcome it. On a chemical level certain drugs can block receptor sites for neurotransmitters, which will then prompt the brain to create more sites thinking that it needs to make more sites for more neurotransmitters. This will leave a persons brain with too many open unnecessary receptor sites. Also some drugs can mimic certain neurotransmitters and fit into a receptor site and this is how your brain would make a person seem like they cannot live without that substance. Eventually after consistent use of an addicting substance a person’s body will ultimately end up gaining dependence on the abused substance. In the case of alcohol, scientific research shows that a certain signaling pathway in the human brain can be connected with alcohol dependence. A gene, called neurofibromatosis type 1, controls this specific pathway. Furthermore, neurofibromatosis controls gamma-amino butyric acid, a chemical in the brain that heightens feelings of relaxation and lowers anxiety. Scientists have found that this gene is associated with excessive drinking in mice. The central amygdala is significant in the decision making process, and also with addiction-related processes. This is where gamma-amino butyric is released in the central nervous system and has shown a significant change from recreational drinking to alcohol dependence. In experiments, it shows that mice with functional neurofibromatosis genes steadily increased ethanol intake. Being that alcohol has a plethora of negatives on the human body and brain this shows that the addiction to alco...
The four principle factors that determine how a drug user experiences their use are Biological, genetic, and pharmacology factors, cultural factors, social factors, and contextual factors. Biological, genetic, and pharmacology factors the substance abuse and addiction involve Biological and genetic factors. The pharmacology focuses on how the ingredients of a drug affect the body and the nervous system. The cultural factors os the society’s view of drugs. It is determined by custom and traditions. The social factors is the motivation of taking a particular drug. It might influence a persons experience if a person needs to diminish physical pain, relieve stress or anxiety, or trying to escape reality. Contextual factors is when specific context define and determine personal dispositions. It might influence a person experience because a person might feel more at ease doing drugs fraternity party or around drug using friends because it seems more acceptable. Hanson, Glen, Peter J. Venturelli, and Annette E. Fleckenstein. ("Dimensions of Drug Use." Drugs and Society. Boston: Jones and Bartlett, 2001. 5. Print.)
At a surface level one could question the validity that happiness and addiction are at all similar in anyway. But after looking at what the biological and environmental causes there are some trends that are analogous to each other. The recipe for happiness holds that 50% is ones own biological set point, 10% life circumstances, and 40% intentional activities (How of Happiness). In terms of addiction (using the lens of alcoholism) Enoch found that biological history accounts for 50% of the cause of addiction and the remaining half is due to the environment (2007).
The two theories I have chosen are the differential association theory and the strain theory. These two theories are well thought out theories but one I feel is a stronger theory that explains why people turn to substance use and at times abuse substances.
The psychological dependence may vary from person to person manifesting in different social and personal issues. In some individuals they suffer from mental health issues that develop into them being unable to cope with changes around them. These emotional issues are often times controlled with the use of drugs allowing the individual to self-medicate themselves to get a sense of well-being. With the continuous drug use the individual will develop drug dependency. The term “Chasing the high” is the euphoric feeling the
Without contrast, the primary reason for drug abuse in individuals comes from the conscious state of addiction. According to Webster’s, addiction is described as “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity (Hacker, 2011).” Sure, human nature’s desire to conform to peer pressure might cause one to first try a certain drug, but the euphoric mental states found in drugs mentally trap many individuals into becoming dependent upon these sensations. With that being said, these sensations vary depending on the type of drug used.
Humans are environmentally and genetically predisposed to developing a motivated addictive behavior. Addiction is a brain disease and a behavior. All behaviors are choices. Choices that adolescences make at a young age directly affect the outcomes of their futures. Many factors contribute to an adolescence becoming an addict or exhibiting a drug seeking behavior. Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine release. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in drug abuse and addiction. Dopamine plays a role in reward motivated behaviors, motor control and important hormones. It’s known as the “feel good hormone” which is why people abuse drugs that increase the release of dopamine. Since life is unpredictable, our brains have evolved the ability to remodel themselves in response to our experiences. The more we practice an activity the more neurons developed in order to fine-tune that activity causing addictive behaviors to be detrimental.
There are many assumptions of why an individual may use different substances and perhaps go from a “social” user to becoming addicted. Understanding the different theories models of addiction many help in the process of treatment for the addict. Although people in general vary in their own ideologies of addiction when working as a clinician one must set aside their own person beliefs. Typically as a clinician it is best for the client to define how they view their addiction and their view may encompass more than one of the five theories. Some theories suggest genetic and other biological factors whiles others emphasize personality or social factors. In this study three theories are defined and given to three different people with different cultural backgrounds, different ideologies, different experiences, and most importantly different reference point of addiction.
However, in the text, Drugs, Society and Human Behavior states, “Humans are social animals, we tend to impress others and be surrounded by people….. Influenced by the user’s social and physical environment. If dependence develops, then these environmental factors may begin to have less influence. Factors such as psychological, social, and biological and the method of use of dug”. There are many factors and certain types of drugs and other substances that can causes someone to be addicted. Many people tend to blame the person who is addicted and overlook at the bigger source of the problem, which it is the drug
Drug addiction is a very big problem in today’s society. Many people have had their lives ruined due to drug addiction. The people that use the drugs don’t even realize that they have an addiction. They continue to use the drug not even realizing that their whole world is crashing down around them. Drug addicts normally lose their family and friends due to drug addiction.
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.