The Biological Approach to Addiction

The Brain!

Understand the Assumptions of the Biological Approach

Evaluate the Biological Approach

Answer the exam Q; Outline and evaluate the biological model as an explanation for the maintenance of one addictive behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)

Assumptions:Addiction is an illness

Addiction is irreversible

Emphasis on

treatment

InitiationAddictive drugs trigger the release of

dopamine - reward systemWhile the full diversity of drug effects is mediated by multiple

neurotransmitters acting in multiple brain regions, most addictive drugs share the common property of increasing dopamine release in

the striatum (e.g., Di Chiara and Imperato, 1988; Kuczenski et al., 1991).

Opiate (pleasure) pathways can be directly stimulated by heroin, alcohol and nicotine

Susceptible people to addictions are born with a more sensitive mesolimbic dopamine pathway

(Liebman and Cooper, 1989)

Mesolimbic pathways: spontaneously release small amounts of dopamine to maintain stable moods.

Nature or Nurture?

Maintenance

Persistent exposure to a drug eventually leads to a reduction in brain activity

Greater Tolerance = More drug use= Greater Withdrawal

Draw a representation of this on your white

boards… Less effect…

Relapse

Lasting memories maintain the need for the drug and

the positive rewards.

Addicts crave the dopamine rush (not just

the drug!)

Which approach can

explain this

association?

Alcoholics: 36% of their relatives also diagnosed with an alcohol disorder (Merikangas et al, 1998)

Heritability of nicotine dependence has been estimated at 60-70% (Kendler, et al, 1999)

Heritability of alcohol dependence has been estimated at 39-60%

(Heath and Martin, 1993)

Can an addiction be inherited?Yes or No – on your white boards

A: AimP: ProcedureF: Findings

C: ConclusionE: Evaluation Create an

acronym or

image story to

remember these

terms

Evaluation Game!

Create an acronym or

image story to

remember these

terms

GeneralisabilityEthicsApplicationValidityReliability

Situational vs DispositionalType of data (qualitative/quantitative)

ApproachNature vs NurtureDeterminism vs Free WillEthnocentric biasReductionism vs HolismScientific?

Evaluation Game!

Now apply them

to the Biological

Approach

GeneralisabilityReliabilityApplicationValidityEthics

Individual differences:

genetic predisposition or

resistance?

Does everyone become an

addict?

Nature AND nurture?

Much of the data is

correlational…

What about Gambling?

Situational vs DispositionalType of data (qualitative/quantitative)

ApproachNature vs NurtureDeterminism vs Free WillEthnocentric biasReductionism vs HolismScientific?

Prep:Outline and evaluate the biological

model as an explanation for the maintenance of oneaddictive behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)

Prep: Find an example of a celebrity

partaking in an addictive behaviourPrint out the image for next Addiction

lesson!