ao3x2

intro

• one biological expmanation of addictive behaviour s the dopamine theory

supporting evidence

• coming et all

  • Conduct genetic analysis on 139 pathological gamblers

  • found seven genes linked to dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline regulation were associated with gambling addiction risks

• This supports a prior finding of increased DA and noradrenaline activity in problem gamblersReinforcess the role of DA in gambling addiction

• demonstrates that DA has improved in behaviour as well as substance addiction

refuting evidence

• Liberzon et al found increased nucleus accumbens (Nacc) activity in PTSD war veterans when exposed to combat sounds.

• This contradicts the idea that accumbens activation and DA release are linked to pleasurable activity

• highlights that DA is also present in distressing and traumatic stimuli

• suggests that the role of DA is addictive, and behaviour is more complex

Methodological

• Studies of DA addiction often use small sample sizes

• Substances are administered in forms which are not typical (nicotine inhalers vs cigarettes)

• Experiments are conducted in a controlled lab setting rather than a neutral environment

• These factors reduce ecological validity and may not reflect real-world behaviour

• raises concern about the validity and generalisation of the DA finding

supporting

• kendler and prescott

  • Interviewed barely 2000 twins

  • environmental and social factors influenced initial cocaine use

  • Genetic factors influenced imitation: Genetic

    • MZ 54%

    • 42%

      However, for maintenance seen as purely biological

    • Mz twins 35% - 0 for DZ

• Support a strong genetic role in addiction maintenance

• does not explain why individuals start using drugs, so it is an incomplete explanation

research evidence

• Fowler's (2007) twin study on addiction

  • studied over 1000 twins

  • Environmental and social factors were key in initiating addictive behaviour ( nicotine and alcohol)

• Genetic and neurological factors were limited

• Supports the idea of genetics and tolerance, and additional persistence

• Highlights that genes alone don’t fully explain addiction, environment and social context matter for initiation

a gene for addiction

• The relationship between genetics and addiction is complex and involves multiple genes

• Besides DRD2 and AD, other genes such as the RSU1

  • Olejade et al

    • are linked to alcohol dependence

    • different types of addictive of addictive behaviour ( smoking, gambling, substances ) may involve different genetic mechanisms, challenging the idea of a single “addiction gene”

• genes play a role in addiction, but various behaviours and individuals

• Addiction is influenced by many genes rather than one specific gene common to all addictions

reductionist

• Both biological explanations of addiction are reductionist, as they oversimplify addiction to a biological factor

• The dopamine theory focuses only on dDAhile the genetic emphasis emphasises genes alone

• This narrow focus ignores important influences like social factors

Deterministic

• The dopamine and genetic explanation of addiction are biologically deterministic , implying genes or brain chemistry , inevitably lead to addiction

• however this mindset may discourage individuals from taking responsibility

• believing addiction is purely biological and unstoppable can hinder motivation to overcome it which is a key weakens for this explanation

conclusioj

waffle