Addiction : Risk Factors

Question 1

Outline Genetic Vulnerability.

Answer 1

• A genetic vulnerability for addiction refers to any inherited predisposition that makes a person vulnerable to addiction. Genetic factors play a significant role in development of addiction.
• Twin studies have shown that 40% to 60% of the risk of alcoholism is genetic.
• A gene linked to addiction is the A1 variant of the D2 dopamine receptor gene. Blum found a strong correlation between severe alcoholism and the presence of this gene.
• The A1 variant of the D2 dopamine receptor gene decreases the number of D2 dopamine receptors in the brains reward pathway, resulting in a less active reward pathway. Those affected may seek intoxication to compensate for the lack of dopamine activity in their brains reward pathway, caused by a lack of D2 receptors.

Question 2

Outline Peers.

Answer 2

• A persons peer are people of a similar age and social status. During adolescence they become a significant risk factor for developing addiction as during this stage of development, young people are highly motivated to seek social acceptance from their peers.
• They may act as risk factors as they can model attitudes that encourage addictive behaviours. But they do not directly concern the addictive behaviour. What is influential is the creation of a group norm that favours risk taking. Adopting an attitude that favours risk taking then increases the likelihood of developing an addiction.
• They may also see this as a normal behaviour.

Question 3

Outline Personality.

Answer 3

• Personality refers to pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving that differ between individuals. Some traits contribute to the development of addiction.
• Individuals with high levels of impulsivity are likely to act on their desires without thinking of consequences. Impulsive individuals may overlook the larger future benefits of abstaining from addictive behaviour and instead focus on instant gratification.
• Sensation seeking is a personality trait which involves the need for high levels of external stimulation combined with the urge to seek such stimulation. Individuals with high levels of sensation seeking are also at greater risk of developing an addiction, perhaps due to greater subjective effects associated with drug use.

Question 4

Outline Family Influence.

Answer 4

• One way family influence creates a risk factor is the parenting style. One parenting style identified as being a risk factor addiction is the permissible style. These parents are involved with the child but do not place any controls on their behaviour.
• Another parenting style that has been identified as a risk factor for developing addiction is authoritarian style. Parents with this style are demanding and quickly resort to the use of punishment.
• However, research has found that an authoritarian style of parenting (high levels of emotional warmth and appropriate leve;s of parental control) has been associated with lowered levels of addictive behaviours, meaning it is a protective factor against addiction.

Question 5

Outline stress