Biological Addiction

Question 1

Maintaining

Answer 1

Exposure causes a reduction in the activity of the reward pathways
Causes chronic stress for the addict - needs the dopamine can’t have it
Negative state becomes why they carry on to avoid it

Question 2

Relapse

Answer 2

Despite drug actually providing much pleasure
Brain still signals the promise of the reward so you want to take it
Drugs induce a change that creates a lasting memory

Question 3

Genes

Answer 3

A person is most susceptible to addiction during initiation
Could have a bio predisposition vulnerability
Family and twin studies used to separate nature and nurture
Gambling seems to run the the family

Question 4

Genes ao2

Answer 4

Genetic evidence of transmission of gambling in men

Found genetic influence to be 64%

Question 5

DRD2

Answer 5

Means you have fewer dopamine receptors
More likely to be an addict
Can’t gain pleasure from everyday things
Stimulate the receptors by taking drugs so dopamine increases
It’s maintained because they only feel something when they do it

Question 6

DRD2 ao2

Answer 6

48% smokers and ex smokers had the genes

50% of pathological gamblers have the gene

Question 7

CYR2AP

Answer 7

In non smokers
Protective gene
Feel sick and dizzy when smoking

Question 8

Ao2 of biology

Answer 8

Explains individual differences
Explains why some people are resistant to treatment
Inconsistent research - no link of DRD2
- liked to autism which isn’t to do with reward pathways

Reductionist
Offers effective treatment

Question 9

Initiation

Answer 9

Drugs stimulate a reward pathway

Trigger the release of dopamine that tells the Bain to do it again