Biological Explanations of Addiction Essay

The biological model of addictions basic premise is that addiction is an illness that it is irreversible that you be either addicted or non (there are no slightly addicted individuals) and that treatment must be medical.There are some(prenominal) models of biological addiction mainly because current psychological research suggests that different areas of the brain are have-to doe with in different addictions (quashing the idea of an addictive personality per say).In this essay two biochemical theories go forth be discussed, plus the genetic model. The latter theory should not be seen as distinct from the biochemical theories as biologists would propose that any biochemical abnormalities that may predispose an individual to addiction are in all probability inherited. Thus studies looking at concordance rates of addictions in families, twins and adopted children would go all three of the models being discussed.One of the most popular theories of addiction is to do with the neu rotransmitter Dopamine. Dopamine is involved with our enjoyment/reward system. Anything we do of our volition that is pleasurable increases Dopamine. It is the release of dopamine that makes us feel Euphoria/pleasure. Drugs such as Cocaine, Alcohol and Heroin make Dopamine receptors release enormous amounts of Dopamine, so the user may feel intense pleasure. This however, does not explain addiction as many people drink or recreationally use cocaine and dont become addicts. The main idea of the theory is that individuals biologically persuasible to addiction have much sensitive Mesolimbic/ reward pathways in their brain, e.g. drugs may have a more profound (wow factor) on their Dopamine receptors.Another theory that may work alone or in conjunction with the Reward theory is that individuals with addictions may naturally produce natural depression levels of Serotonin. Serotonin is thought to be a major factor in controlling our behaviour. So most of us can substantiate drunk ove reat etc but not repeat the behaviour compulsively. This is because our Serotonin levels are stable. It is thought that individuals with low levels may not be able to exercise control. There is support for this idea, e.g. low levels of serotonin are correlated with compulsive suicide, homicide, Bulimia and ADHD.Another suggestion has been that there is a genetic basis for exploitation an addiction. Although a specific gene has not been found, there is plenty of research that shows high levels of concordance among families who are addicted to alcohol (Sarafino), Nicotine (Agrawal and Lynskey, Heroin (Devaux and Krebs) and Fowler (see Erika Cox book). However like all correlational studies this sorting of research cannot imply cause. The concordance could be caused by environmental factors or social learning.Additional support for the biochemical theories comes from MRI and PET scans, animal studies using agonists and antagonists and invasive brain techniques on animals, such as ne uro toxins where Dopamine receptors are removed.