Addiction - Biological Explanation - Addiction Genes Flashcards
What does the addiction genes explanation suggest addiction is caused by?
Several genes that are inherited that make them more prone to developing an addiction, which is why not all people get addicted when engaging in addictive behaviours.
What are the two genes that are described in the addictive genes explanations?
DRD2 and ADH
Describe how DRD2 leads to addiction.
DRD2 is a dopamine gene that codes for the mount of D2 receptor sites a person has. Those with the A1 variant of the gene have fewer D2 sites meaning more dopamine will be required to reach a high therefore will engage in more of the addictive behaviour.
Describe how ADH leads to addiction.
ADH is responsible for how the body metabolises alcohol and particular variants affect the way our bodies break down alcohol e.g. unpleasant reactions such as nausea will reduce the likelihood of a person drinking again.
What is the Diathesis-Dress Model?
The idea that a person carries a pre-disposed genetic risk to an addiction and in combination with stressful or traumatic experiences, the person will then develop an addiction, the stressor or predisposition alone is not enough.
What is a weakness of the Addiction Genes explanation in relation to determinism?
The explanation describes that people are biologically born with a process to addictions which may remove personal accountability for addictive behaviours which may leave the patient feeling hopeless if it is inevitable, however this could be considered a strength as it may remove the stigma regarding addiction so that it is treated as more of an illness not a choice that can be offered treatments.
What is a strength of the Addiction Genes explanation in relation to nature and nurture?
The genetic explanation of addiction considers the role of both nature in the genes that predispose people to developing addictions, whilst also nurture through the diathesis stress model meaning it is a more complete explanation of addictive behaviours.
What is an ethical implications of the Addiction Genes explanation in relation to ethical benefits?
With an explanation for addictive behaviours, these can be used to develop preventatives and treatments before people become addicts, however the understanding may affect court rulings if the criminal was inevitably pre-disposed to addiction avoiding personal accountability.
