Genetic Definition Essay: The Cause Of Substance Abuse

There are many factors such as biology, environment and development that results in the persons initial introduction into the world of drugs. Drug abuse may start as a way to socially connect. More often than not people try drugs for the first time in social

The concept that drugs abuse and being more likely to inherit the likelyhood of being addicted has always intrigued me. It intrigues me because it makes sense. Why is it that people pick up smoking cigarettes after the first time? Or people of Native American descent are more likely than most ethnic groups to be alcoholics? There is the whole concept of nature v. Nurture. Our surrounding pre-determine our likelylihood of becoming addicted based on if one of our parents drank. But what if it's more than that? What if what we are inheriting is not the behavior immersed around us, although that does play a factor, but the genetics behind the initial addiction?

Most researchers believe that addiction is caused by a number of risk factors working together to create addiction to prescription drugs while some people can use recreational and prescription drugs without becoming addicted, many individuals who start using drugs become physically and emotionally dependent on them. Drug abuse causes vary greatly, depending on each individual and the extent of his or her addiction. The extent of a person's vulnerability to his or her addiction depends on their social environment, their mental and physical health, and their genes. According to Kellogg "Our drug problem is a real problem, but it stems from poverty, loneliness, shame, dishonesty, rage, family violence, power and greed. It is a spiritual

Drug abuse was also a part of my life from middle school until I was 21 years old. I think that a big part of me becoming addicted to drugs came from the type of boundaries, according to structural theory, that I had when I moved in with my parents. In my grandparents’ home I was never allowed to play with kids in the neighborhood, if I played outside, my grandma was always with me. My grandparents had very rigid boundaries and as a result began accusing me of doing drugs and smoking

To begin with, studies have found that inherited genes are responsible for a considerably large part of the probability that someone will become addicted to any kind of substance or behavior. Addiction is strongly influenced by genetic factors in the later stages of addiction, such as problem use and dependence of an addictive substance. Some genetic factors can make an individual more likely to become addicted to only one specific drug. On the other hand, some genes can make an individual more likely to become addicted in general. Some individuals might be genetically inclined to risk-taking behavior such as receiving large jolts of dopamine through what they consider to be the “excitement” of drug use. These individuals could be subject to keep returning to the illicit and harmful drugs that they find enjoyable despite what they know of the harmful effects. These genetic influences could make them more likely to become addicted to alcohol, cocaine, tobacco, gambling, or any number of substances or activities. Addiction has an inherited component and it

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.

Genes and environment both prove to be important when determining who will be susceptible to becoming addicted to substances and who will not (Durand, Barlow, 2016, 388-389). Using drugs is based on environmental factors but becoming dependent on drugs will occur if a person is genetically vulnerable. There is no specific gene that can be held responsible for this phenomenon, but rather a group of genes that put one at risk for substance use disorder broadly. Susceptibility to addiction to one substance in particular does not occur. Psychological factors must also be considered when discussing what causes substance abuse disorder. Positive reinforcement (making one feel good) and negative reinforcement (making one feel less bad) are two primary reasons for continuing drug use.

In the book “Drugs and Sports”,on page 13, the author Rodney G. Peck states that “Experts believe that the disease of addiction can be passed down from parent to child.” He also states that, “ a teen who has a parent with an addiction (or a parent who is recovering from an addiction) may be more likely to become an addict as well. Teens should talk with their parents and not follow their steps to addiction. Drug addiction usually starts with something called a gateway drug. One commonly used gateway drug would be weed, the easiest drug to get in the streets and everywhere.

Biology and genetics influence substance abuse and addiction. According to Prescott, Madden, and Stallings, (2006), a number of obstacles confront researchers considering genetic influences on substance-related behavior. Preliminary there is a significant discrepancy across civilizations and archival periods in the prevalence and classifications of substance use (i.e., cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, or heroin). A person’s biology is a determination in the addiction of risk. For example, Prescott, Madden, and Stallings (2006) assert many studies indicate increased rates of alcoholism among adopted males; although he is not influenced by his own biological parents (p. 475; see Cadoret et al. 1985; see Cloninger et al. 1981). It has been suggested that twins (e.g., adults) are most likely to inherit smoking dependence. Various studies throughout countries study variables (e.g., age and gender) according to Prescott, Madden, and Stallings (2006).

There are many different evaluation instruments that are used to test for alcoholism, the results are also used to help with the eventually treatment of the person diagnosed with alcoholism. Some of the evaluation tools that are used to detect alcoholism and the severity are the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA), Alcohol use disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), T-ACE, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI). SSAGA was created by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) is used to study the genetic link to alcoholism. (Korsmeyer, P., Kranzler, H., 2009) AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with Austria, Bulgari, Kenya. Mexico, Norway and the United States, making it the first screening designed for international use. There are ten sections to the AUDIT test that are scored 0-4 points, the total number of points determines a person’s severity of alcohol dependency, which is then used to determine the required treatment method. (Korsmeyer, P., Kranzler, H., 2009) MAST is similar to AUDIT as it is a multiple question test, the difference is in the scoring. Each answer is worth 0-1 point and the higher the total, the more the person is at risk for alcoholism. T-ACE is a test specifically for pregnant women, it stands for Tolerance, Annoyed, Cut Down and Eye Opener. The first questions is about

While genetics play a role in an addiction, they are only half of the equation. Environmental factors like relationships, work and stress can increase the chances of someone becoming an alcoholic. When these environmental factors are combined with alcoholism genetics, the results can be terrible. Someone who has a predisposition for an addiction is more likely to become an addict if they are in an environment where substance

There are two causes that influence stimulant abuse are: genetic and environmental and psychological. Genetic have been linked to a family member “who have had substance abuse problems or addiction in the past are at an increased risk for developing and addiction themselves” (http://www.harboroaks.com). Environment can be the influence of friends, relatives, or peer pressure. Symptoms are often in an abuser behavior

There are many ways this can come about. One of the most tragic ways people are addicted to drugs is through birth. One in ten babies are born with a drug addiction most commonly from opiates. People can also become addicted through family members; this can be simply from growing up around a family member who relies on prescription drugs heavily without censoring their use, especially if there are impressionable children who live in these circumstances. The next reasoning, I want to point out is that there are many people who work in health care facilities that have easy access to medications without any question.

Addictions can be passed through the genes. There is some truth to the debate of why one's heredity may make them predisposed to addictive behaviors pertaining to substance abuse. For example, consider a woman who is physically unable to stop abusing drugs and alcohol during her pregnancy. Her baby will most certainly be born with severe withdrawal

“Environmental factors interact with the person’s biology and affect the extent to which genetic factors exert their influence” (ASAM). The parenting style the individual is raised in also affects their probability of falling into an addiction. The culture the individual is raised in also affects their manifestations of addiction. If an individual is raised in an environment where substance abuse is seen as a regular day to day thing, then their addiction possibilities remarkably increase. Mental disorders may also be an encouragement towards substance abuse.