Download Addiction - Biological, Not Sociological

Sociology
Sociology is the study of human social life,
groups and societies. The sociologic aspect of
drugs deals with your environment
(occurrence or availability of drugs), friends
and life issues (family problems, abuse).
Therefore, sociology deals more with the risk
of taking drugs.
Addiction
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of
brain reward, motivation, memory and
related circuitry. It’s characterized by
changes in the brain resulting in a
compulsive need to use drugs. It depends
on two main biological factors; the effects
of the drugs on the individual and the
biological status of the individual
(inherited characteristics).
The Brain
Work Cited
Defining Sociology. (2005). In The British Sociological
Association. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from
www.sociology.org.uk/as4def.doc
Definition of Addiction. (2011, April 19). In American
Society of Addiction Medicine. Retrieved April 25, 2012,
from
http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-ofaddiction
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.
(2010, August). In National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Retrieved
April
25,
2012,
from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/scienceaddiction/drugs-brain
Genetic Science Learning Center. (2012). Genetics is an
important factor in Addiction. In The University of Utah.
Retrieved
April
25,
2012,
from
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genetics
/
Grucza, R. J. (2006). Co-Occurring Risk Factors for Alcohol
Dependence and Habitual Smoking. Alcohol Research &
Health, 29(3), 172-178.
Liu Q-R, Drgon T, Johnson C, Walther D, Hess J, Uhl GR.
2006. Addiction Molecular Genetics: 639,401 SNP Whole
Genome Association Identifies Many “Cell Adhesion”
Genes. Am J Med Genet Part B 141B:918–925.
Nurnberger, J. (2007). SEEKING THE CONNECTIONS:
ALCOHOLISM AND OUR GENES. Scientific American, 296(4),
46-53.
Addiction
Biological Not Sociological
The Pleasure Centers (n.d.). In The Brain From the
Bottom to the Top. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_cr/i_03_c
r_que/i_03_cr_que.html
U.S. Congress, Mice of Technology Assessment,
BioZogicaZ Components of
Substance Abuse and Addiction, OTA-BP-BBS-1 17
Pictures
The Brain is made up of billions of neurons
that pass messages back and forth to
different systems. These networks regulate
what we feel, think and do.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry
messages between neurons. Receptors
bind with certain neurotransmitters.
Brain: The Pleasure Centers (n.d.). In The Brain From
the Bottom to the Top. Retrieved April 25, 2012,
from
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_cr/i_03_c
r_que/i_03_cr_que.html
Dopamine Reactions: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The
Science of Addiction. (2010, August). In National Institute
on Drug Abuse. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/scienceaddiction/drugs-brain
Drugs: Getty. Drug companies accused of 'conning'
the public. 2012. Photograph. The Telegraph. Web.
28 Apr 2012.
MH
Effects of Drugs on the Individual
Biological Status of the Individual
The Brain`s Reward System
Genetic Factors
When we participate in life-sustaining activities our
brain treats it with a pleasurable “reward”, this way it’s
remembered and we are likely to repeat it. The brain
releases dopamine as a reward. Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that
regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation
and feelings of pleasure. Drugs interfere the way nerve
cells normally communicate by targeting the reward
system with dopamine. Drugs release 2-10 times more
dopamine than natural rewards do and it can last
longer. Such a powerful reward overrides the natural
reward system and it motivates the user to take more.
Drugs such as, heroin and marijuana, can activate
neurons because their chemical structures mimic that
of a natural neurotransmitter. They attach to receptor
and activate nerve cells in an unnatural way, this
causes abnormal messages to be transmitted. Drugs
such as, cocaine and amphetamine, can cause nerve
cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural
neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of
these chemicals. This produces a greatly amplified
message and disrupts communication channels.
Genetic factors account for 40%-60% of the likelihood of
developing an addiction. There are multiple genes that
control various aspects of the biological response to
drugs or the physiological predisposition to become an
abuser. Genetic factors do not ensure addiction; just as
lack of them does not prevent addiction. Certain genes
make it harder for a user to stop using drugs. Similarly,
certain genes can “protect” from addiction by causing
uncomfortable or even painful side effects. An example
of this is the ALDH1 gene, which slows the metabolism
of alcohol. This causes a build up of toxins, resulting in
discomfort for the drinker. Due to this, they are unlikely
to become an addict because they are unlikely to drink a
lot.
Brain Development
Prefrontal Cortex is a “pleasure centre”. It develops
during adolescence and during this time there is a
chemical imbalance. Substance use during this time can
impair future decision making and other functions. A
person who starts drinking at age 13 has a 43% chance
of becoming an alcoholic. Whereas, person who starts
drinking at age 21 has a 10% chance of becoming an
alcoholic.
Scientists have found more than 80 genes linked to
addiction. Each of these genes contain clustered single
nucleotide polymorphisms that display significant allele
frequency differences between abusers and nonabusers. They are implicated with many functions,
including adhesion which may be involved in establishing
and maintaining neuronal connections of significance to
addiction’s “memory” function.
The Future
In the future, scientists hope to be able to treat
the genes linked to addiction. They hope to
modify their activity and return the signals and
pathways in the brain back to “normal”. This
would hopefully transform them and reduce
likelihood of addiction. Scientists are also
creating tamper-resistant drugs that when
crushed, chewed or cut, release naltrexone
which absorbs the morphine. When they are
dissolved, a gel-like substance forms making it
impossible for them to be injected. Tamperresistant oxycontin is already being produced
and they hope to modify a lot more drugs to
have this quality. Researchers have also looked
into creating a vaccine for addiction that
prevents addictive substances from ever
reaching the brain. An opioid vaccine is currently
being produced, and a vaccine for drugs such as
heroin and cocaine is the ultimate target.
Picture Of the Brain`s
Reward System
The cortex receives a signal and sends a
signal of reward to the ventral tegmental
area (VTA). The VTA releases dopamine to
the nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdale
and the prefrontal cortex. The medial
forebrain bundle (MFB), when activated, is
the main pathway for the reward
neurotransmitters.