Essay about What is Addiction, and What Causes it?

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?

I grew up being told that addiction runs in the family and that it is inherited. The Etiology and Natural History of Alcoholism article (n.d.) does, in fact, mention that genetics play a role but other factors such as social, psychological, and environmental are also reasons to contribute to addiction. In turn, genes are not solely supported as the only cause for susceptibility. In fact, “[m]ost offspring of an alcoholic parent DO NOT develop alcohol use problems or disorders in their lifetime.” (Module 2: Etiology and Natural History of Alcoholism, n.d.)

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, genetics account for over fifty percent of addiction disorders. Elders having a past with drugs, the addict

“The statistical associations between genetic factors and alcohol abuse are very strong” (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). However, there is still much debate over the validity of genetics as a definite cause for addiction. Perhaps, the reason for this is because the number of children of alcoholics that go on to become alcoholics is still small. Additionally, genetic predisposition cannot explain the number of cases of alcoholics that did not come from alcoholic parents or families. In fact, addiction can be so prominent, that it remains even after the drug use has ended (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Therefore, the biological theory should not be ruled as it is based on what takes place in the body. There is no other theory that can explain how a person could still have addiction symptoms when the substance is absent from their system. Predisposition implies that there is a mutation or malfunction in the body that appears to cause a craving or susceptibility to becoming addicted to a substance.

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

Although the collection of findings from several types of genetically informative research designs does provide compelling evidence for the influence of genetics and heritability on the risk for addiction, they do

Heroin provides a rush feeling in the brain which is can be accompanied by the following symptoms; a warm flushing of the skin, a dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities. The following side effects often present themselves nausea, vomiting and severe itching. After the initial effects of heroin have faded, abusers will be drowsy for several hours. With heroin the individual's mental function is often clouded because of the drugs effect on the central nervous system. Long term abuse of the drug can result in respiratory and cardiac functions slowing this are often the cause of death in heroin

Genetic factors have been directly linked to the risk of an individual’s vulnerability to addiction (APA, 2008). In addition, other risk factors that play a

Studies indicate that drug abuse is currently on the rise. The results are not limited to an increase in the number of deaths but also in the amount that individuals control. Notably, not only is it in the cities, it continually spreads to neighboring suburbs. Consequently, the number of death toll has more than doubled within a short period. Clearly, the drug is but to be labeled as a threat to the existence of the human race. Recent research indicates that the drug is becoming more prevalent among the whites especially women. Concretely, the increase is a result of the low prices it fetches

People that can access prescribed opiates can easily become physically dependent on the high; whereas, an individual who cannot obtain them have symptoms of withdrawal. This causes a broad range of heroin seeking behavior. It has become evident that users who are dependent on

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).

Drug addiction is not a game of roulette many studies have been performed to help determine key factors that can help determine who is susceptible and who is not. The availability of drugs and simple willpower or force of personality play a role in who will and will not end up addicted to drugs (Kaur & Vikas, 2016). While there is not a recipe for an addict there are at least some guidelines. Not all addicts come from broken homes or even troubled ones. In the story written by Jefferson Singer, he tells about a patient of his, “Richard”, that was raised in a home with two parents who had money. Both of this man’s parents were well educated but that did not stop him from becoming a heroin addict (Singer, 2013). Typically,

The effects of heroin can be very devastating, both short term and long term effects. There is a rapid physical change that can be seen due to the use of heroin. People who use heroin may experience a few pleasant short term effects such as; feelings of being warm and flushed, heavy sensation in extremities, and sedation. Unpleasant side effects may include drowsiness and lethargy. The long term effects is what really gives heroin such a bad reputation. Within a short period of time severe side effects come in. Such as; oral damage (gums and teeth), digestive issues, severe itching causing people to itch till you bleed causing scabs, breaking down of the immune system, malnutrition, sleeping irregularities, and decrease in sexual functions

They assume addicts lack moral principles or self-discipline and that they can quit by simply deciding to. The reality is, people who have struggled with substance abuse have often found it extremely difficult to quit due to the physical and/or mental addiction. Drug have the ability to change the brain patterns and cause health complications, making things harder in the long-term and may determine life or death. Fortunately, because of more research, there are more ways to back out of an addiction and seek help through an enduring and extensive treatment. Factors that affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction are environmental and individual factors, including genetics and

When someone says, “You get that laugh or that smile from your father or your mother.” You don’t always believe them, but in some studies today it is said that if your parents or anyone in your family has a history of a drug addiction those traits in their genes have a decent chance of being passed down to the children causing problems for them later in life. According to the Drugs and Addiction article in the 2009 Addiction Journal, “Family, twin and adoption studies suggest that the heritability of substance use disorders is moderate to