Risk Factor: Genetic Vulnerability

Question 1

Generic Vulnerability

Answer 1

Any inherited predisposition that increases the risk of a disorder or condition

Question 2

Risk Factor

Answer 2

Any internal or external influence that increases the likelihood someone will start using drugs or engage in addictive behaviours

Question 3

Why do genes alone not explain addiction?

Answer 3

We cannot become addicted to any action or chemical if we never engage in this behaviour or action

Question 4

Genetic Mechanism

Answer 4

• Dopamine

- Metabolism

Question 5

Dopamine

Answer 5

• research suggested a possible link between certain dopamine receptors and addiction
• those with A1 variant have fewer dopamine receptors so this means less pleasure
• to get the same amount of pleasure as a ‘normal’ brain the person would need to engage in more of the pleasurable alcohol e.g drink more alcohol

Question 6

Metabolism

Answer 6

• some ppl are able to metabolise enzymes such as nicotine and alcohol more able than others
• most people have a variant that allows us to break down or metabolise nicotine meaning we can smoke nicotine without nicotine levels rising too hard
• those with a malfunctioning enzyme are able to smoke less cigarettes so are less likely to become addicted
• this variant protects against addiction

Question 7

Évidence - Kendler et al (AO3)

Answer 7

• looked at adults who had been adopted away as children from biological families in which parents had addiction
• found a significant greater risk of developing an addiction (8.6%)
• compared to those who had no addicted parents in their biological families (4.2%)

Question 8

Research Support Slutske (AO3)

Answer 8

• looked at the concordance rates of MZ and DZ twins in relation to gambling addiction
• found that concordance rates were twice as high for the MZ twins as the concordance rate for DZ twins
• not possible to isolate the genetic effects from the vulnerability of the environment and social