Lecture Notes: Understanding Addiction

Introduction to Addiction

• Central Question: Why can some people handle substances socially, while for others, they are destructive?
• Personal Narratives: Many attribute addiction to family history, feeling judged or labeled as weak.

Definition of Addiction

• Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disorder.
  • Characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use.
  • Continued use despite harmful consequences.
  • Causes long-lasting changes in the brain.
• Classification: Both a brain disease and a mental illness.

Genetic Component of Addiction

• Research Findings: Recent studies show a genetic component to addiction.
  • Identical Twins Studies: Used to determine heritability of substances.
  • Heritability Ranking:
    • Cocaine is most heritable.
    • Hallucinogens are least heritable.
    • Caffeine and alcohol are highly heritable.
• Family History: Having family members with addiction can increase personal risk.

Environmental Factors

• Role of Environment:
  • Plays a significant role in the likelihood of developing addiction.
  • Especially crucial during teenage years.
  • Influences include:
    • Substance availability.
    • Peer pressure.
    • Family supervision.
• Genetic Predisposition: Increases likelihood but not certainty of addiction.

Other Influencing Factors

• Trauma and Mental Illness: Can significantly impact addiction, independent of genetics.
• Complexity of Addiction: Compared to obesity in its complexity.
  • Still not fully understood.

Moving Forward

• Personal Reflections: Importance of family communication and coping mechanisms.
  • Awareness of genetic predisposition can aid in prevention.
• Conclusion: Genes contribute to predisposition but don't determine destiny.
  • Many controllable factors exist that can influence lifestyle and health outcomes.