Addiction-Individual_Differences

Individual Differences In Addiction Dawn Norman California Southern University April 26, 2011 Abstract Drug addiction is a complex disease of the brain. There are many neurological factors that are involved in this disease. In order to understand the individual differences that can influence one’s propensity for this disease, I will first define the disease and will provide physiological factors that come into play. Then I will analyze information from recent scientific experiments and data to determine how individual differences affect one’s predisposition for addiction. What exactly is addiction' It is certainly not a new disease, but there has been much research done recently, which has changed the way this disease is viewed and has greatly improved treatment and recovery for those who suffer from it. How do individual differences affect the incidence of addiction' I plan to present the most current information available to satisfy the answer to this question. The best definition I have found for addiction is, “the uncontrollable compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences” (Murray, n.d., para. 1). Another definition is “a progressive debilitating and potentially fatal brain disease” (Stone, 2010, para.1). Addiction should be viewed as a recognized brain disease, which is expressed in the form of compulsive behavior (Murray, n.d.). It is chronic, recurring, and fatal. Many people believe addiction is a character weakness. Research contradicts this erroneous belief. There is no cure for addiction, but recovery is certainly possible. What happens in the brain of an addict' Long term use of drugs changes the structure and the function of the brain in basic and also long acting ways that often persist after the individual stops using them. When a drug , such as cocaine, enters the body, it dissolves and is transported through the circulatory system to all areas of the body .In the “feeling center” of the brain it causes an increase in the dopamine level and also, to a lesser degree, nor- epinephrine. This causes the brain receptors to get lots of “hits”. This causes much stimulation, creating a feeling of energy, or a high. As the ingestion of the drug increases, the dopamine is used up, and more receptors get hit, leading to dopamine depletion. As the receptors continue to get many hits, they build a shield to protect themselves against the effects of the dopamine, causing the addict to have to use more and more of the drug to get the same high. Narcotics and heroin act by hitting the opiate receptors. This causes the bypass of the natural opiate system, which uses endorphins and enkephalins as neurotransmitters. After continued use, the body subsides in producing its own natural endorphins as neurotransmitters. Again, the continued use of opiates/heroin causes the receptors to become less sensitive and more of the drug is needed to get the same high (Stone, 2010). There is also a genetic component to addiction, mainly in the disease of alcoholism. Prior research has shown a significant genetics influence on a person’s response to alcohol. New research has identified three chromosomal areas in the human genome that holds genes that affect a person’s low level of response to alcohol. Three locations were found that had the largest evidence for genes that affect the level of response to alcohol. These were chromosomes 10, 11, and 22 (“A Primer”, 2010). There is also an element of “survival of the species”. Actions that influence the “rewards center” of the brain are necessary for human survival. Some of these actions are the intake of nutrients and procreation. When the brain reward system is activated, changes occur such as mood elevation, intense pleasure and even euphoria. These affects help direct behavior toward natural rewards (“A Primer, 2010, para.9). Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol all activate the brain reward system, as do addictive drugs. The difference is that with addictive drugs, the activation is much more intense and can cause the victim to actually crave the drug and to focus their activities around taking the drug. The complexity of this brain disease is not abnormal. No brain diseases are simply biological in nature. All brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke and depression, include some behavioral and social aspects. (Murray, n.d.). It is apparent that addiction is a complex disease having multiple influences on the body. It is certainly a disease of the brain affected by genetics, brain physiology and the survival mechanism of the reward system. There are also differences which each individual has which can further the understanding of addiction. Some of the differences are based on environment, genetics, culture, family history and behavioral traits. “All behavior, thinking, and feeling are controlled by actions of molecules in the brain. Brain molecules can be changed by experiences in our environment, diseases, drugs, and genes” (“A Primer”,2010, para. 9). One’s environment can play a large part in the addict’s disease. “The social environment can persuade normal and decent people to perform noxious and anti-social acts” (Stelzer, n.d., para.6). This was proven by Stanley Milgram’s study of obedience to authority. A person’s environment can also trigger a relapse. The people, places, and things that an addict associates with using, if reintroduced, can trigger the brain’s intense craving for the drug. The importance of heredity cannot be overlooked. There is a lot of new evidence that is favoring nature over nurture. Many studies on twins suggest the importance of heredity (Stelzer, n.d.). Alcohol research has been finding that a portion of the vulnerability to alcoholism is genetic. The researchers have discovered that approximately 50-60 percent of the risk for developing alcoholism is genetic. They are also learning that genes do not predetermine, they only increase the risk (“A Primer”, 2010). No single gene is responsible for alcoholism. The culture in which a person is raised will also influence their tendency toward addiction and should not be ignored. An example of this is the Asian American culture. This culture has a much lower incidence of drug abuse and alcoholism. This may stem from their beliefs in respect for one’s parents, shame as a behavioral control, and the importance of self-control within this culture. The American Indian culture presents a different view. This culture has a mortality rate from alcoholism which is 579% greater than all other races. This may be attributed to the acculturative stress which this culture experiences. This can be defined as the demands to integrate into and identify with a more dominant culture. Combine this with the low income of most Native Americans, the lack of education, and the loss of historical tradition, and one can began to see the massive influence these stressors are having on this culture and their cultural response in general is to abuse alcohol (Stevens, 2009). Family history plays a role in that many families use alcohol with meals, relaxation and celebrations. This becomes the norm for this family, to use alcohol very often if not daily. This can be found in many Midwest, and Irish- Catholic families. This seems to be the norm for one who knows only this way of life, especially from early childhood. Behavioral traits may also play a role in addiction. By examining the behavior of rats, it has been shown that some rats are less cautious and self- restrained than other rats. They exhibit the trait of unusual risk taking. In another experiment with rats, a propensity to respond to cues may make them susceptible to becoming conditioned to the cues associated with drug taking (Kolb, 2011). After studying addiction, I have learned many things. Addiction is a brain disease. It alters the chemistry of the brain. There are many genetic factors that predispose one to this disease. The pleasure principle of addiction can be traced back to man’s basic survival instinct, which has kept our species flourishing. In addition to that, addiction is affected by an individual’s environment. Their culture plays a big part, too. The inner workings of their family of origin play a role. There are certain behavioral characteristics that also come into play. Despite all of these influences, addiction can be stopped, and recovery is then possible. In order to help an addict in recovery, it will be important to learn all about these individual differences and the basic definitions and workings of this disease. . References Kolb, Bryan. (2011). An Introduction to Brain and Behavior.USA, Worth Publishers. Murray, Stephen, Rev. (n.d.). The Disease Concept and Brain Chemistry of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.www.nicd.us A Primer on Drug Addiction. (2010). www.addictionsciencenetwork.net/ASA/Primer.htm Stelzer, Leigh. (n.d.) Individual Differences. www.education.com/definition /individual Stevens, Patricia. (2009). Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice. New Jersey, Pearson Education, Inc. Stone, Michael MD. (2010). The Chemistry of Addiction. www.cornerstonesocal. Com/Addiction-articles/brain-chemistry.