Addiction and Genetics

By: Joe Geraghty, James Robertson

Objectives:O Define, recognize different types of

addictionO Learn causes of addictionO Interpret addiction at the molecular

levelO Discover possible treatment options

What is addiction?O “persistent, compulsive dependence

on a behavior or substance”O Two forms of addiction

1. Substance addiction2. Process addiction

Substance AddictionO A dependency on specific items

O Eventually, afflicted persons’ ability to function dependent on use of item

O Ex: Alcoholism, drug abuse, obesity (possible)

Process AddictionsO A need to perform a certain mood-

altering activity involving risk for stimulation

O Ex: Shopping, gambling, eating, sexual activity

What is “tolerance”?O Effect where a substance/activity

must constantly be used/performed either more frequently or at a higher intensity than in previous instances

O Is the body’s way of adapting to excessive stimulation

O Occurs when an addictive substance or risky activity is abused

Nature Vs. NurtureO Is addiction due to genetic factors or

environmental factors, or both?

O Nature v. Nurture is a common psychology debate

Nature (Biological Aspect)

O Twin studies are an effective means of approach

O In alcoholism, monozygotic twins are more concordant than dizygotic twins

O Genetic influence = Mono concordance > di concordance

Nurture (Social Aspect)O Study of cocaine addicts and their

siblings who experienced a traumatic childhood

O Siblings displayed “higher-than-normal levels of impulsive and compulsive behaviors”; did not use drugs

O Traits are known to increase risk of drug addiction

Nature AND NurtureO While there is some debate, many

sources believe addiction is a combination

O Genetics and environment equally contribute

O Essential to be informed of family history and keep a healthy environment

Genetic AspectO Addiction is the result of many

interacting genesO Genes for addiction can involve

metabolism and neuron pathwaysO People with same addiction do not

necessarily have similar responsible genes

O Genes alone will not determine your fate

What is Dopamine?O Integral neurotransmitter of the

reward system of the brainO Essential to central nervous system

functionsO Reduction of concentration related to

Parkinson's’ disease

How Addiction WorksO Brain’s pleasure centers create good feeling

when something you enjoy or helps you is done

O Neurons in the reward pathway create dopamine

O Dopamine creates euphoriaO Reward pathway reinforces performed action

by linking to memory portion of the brainO Recognition or thought of substance/activity

will initiate a craving

How Addiction Works cont.

O High dopamine levels result in tolerance via decrease of dopamine receptors

O More substance/activity required to produce euphoria

O Eventually, ability to function in day-to-day life relies on substance/activity

O Persons with low dopamine levels tend to be more prone to forming addictions

Drugs on the Nervous System

O Cocaine prevents dopamine reabsorption, excess dopamine binds to receptor sites

O Amphetamines, nicotine release more dopamine

O Alcohol increases dopamine levels, increases serotonin, releases endorphins, negates glutamate and magnifies GABA (creates depressant effect)

Process Addiction Activities

O Reward pathways tend to prematurely stimulate production of dopamine in anticipation of the reward or action

TreatmentO Two types of treatment:

O MedicalO SocialO Both can be used in conjunction

Medical TreatmentO Hospitalization, depending on severityO Anti-addiction medications

O MethadoneO Maltrexone

O Researchers can identify genes that may cause addictions, and create medication to compensate for the gene

O Ritalin helps with cocaine withdrawal, but can be subject to abuse

Social TreatmentO Individual or group psychotherapy

O Effective when addict ceases satisfying their addiction

O 12-Step ProgramO Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)O Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

PreventionO Early education of the effects of drugs

O Learning one’s family history to learn of genetic predispositions, and adjusting environment accordingly

O “The most effective form of prevention is having a stable family that understands the dangers of using mood-altering substances and practices.”

O Abstaining from risky behaviors or addictive substances

Pedigree InvestigatorO Learn how pedigrees are created and

interpreted

Pedigree Investigator

MediaO Bottoms Up to Finding Connection Be

tween Genes and Addiction – PBS

O Addiction Explained on “The Dr.”

Self Assessment1. What is addiction?2. How do genetic and environmental

factors contribute to addiction? Is there a dominating factor?

3. What options are available for addiction treatment?

4. Define “process addiction” and provide an example of one.

Answers1. A persistent compulsive dependence on a

behavior or substance.2. Twin Studies have shown that if one identical

twin was an addict, then the other has a high percentage to be an addict. Other studies have shown that experiences in a person's childhood will shape their activities in the future. No, both factors play an equal role.

3. Hospitalization and individual/group therapy.4. Process addiction is the desire to perform mood

altering behaviors. Gambling, Shopping, Eating, etc…