Addiction and Genetics

1. Addiction and Genetics By: Joe Geraghty, James Robertson

2. Objectives: • Define, recognize different types of addiction • Learn causes of addiction • Interpret addiction at the molecular level • Discover possible treatment options

3. What is addiction? • “persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance” • Two forms of addiction • Substance addiction • Process addiction

4. Substance Addiction • A dependency on specific items • Eventually, afflicted persons’ ability to function dependent on use of item • Ex: Alcoholism, drug abuse, obesity (possible)

5. Process Addictions • A need to perform a certain mood-altering activity involving risk for stimulation • Ex: Shopping, gambling, eating, sexual activity

6. What is “tolerance”? • Effect where a substance/activity must constantly be used/performed either more frequently or at a higher intensity than in previous instances • Is the body’s way of adapting to excessive stimulation • Occurs when an addictive substance or risky activity is abused

7. Nature Vs. Nurture • Is addiction due to genetic factors or environmental factors, or both? • Nature v. Nurture is a common psychology debate

8. Nature (Biological Aspect) • Twin studies are an effective means of approach • In alcoholism, monozygotic twins are more concordant than dizygotic twins • Genetic influence = Mono concordance > di concordance

9. Nurture (Social Aspect) • Study of cocaine addicts and their siblings who experienced a traumatic childhood • Siblings displayed “higher-than-normal levels of impulsive and compulsive behaviors”; did not use drugs • Traits are known to increase risk of drug addiction

10. Nature AND Nurture • While there is some debate, many sources believe addiction is a combination • Genetics and environment equally contribute • Essential to be informed of family history and keep a healthy environment

11. Genetic Aspect • Addiction is the result of many interacting genes • Genes for addiction can involve metabolism and neuron pathways • People with same addiction do not necessarily have similar responsible genes • Genes alone will not determine your fate

12. What is Dopamine? • Integral neurotransmitter of the reward system of the brain • Essential to central nervous system functions • Reduction of concentration related to Parkinson's’ disease

13. How Addiction Works • Brain’s pleasure centers create good feeling when something you enjoy or helps you is done • Neurons in the reward pathway create dopamine • Dopamine creates euphoria • Reward pathway reinforces performed action by linking to memory portion of the brain • Recognition or thought of substance/activity will initiate a craving

14. How Addiction Works cont. • High dopamine levels result in tolerance via decrease of dopamine receptors • More substance/activity required to produce euphoria • Eventually, ability to function in day-to-day life relies on substance/activity • Persons with low dopamine levels tend to be more prone to forming addictions

15. Drugs on the Nervous System • Cocaine prevents dopamine reabsorption, excess dopamine binds to receptor sites • Amphetamines, nicotine release more dopamine • Alcohol increases dopamine levels, increases serotonin, releases endorphins, negates glutamate and magnifies GABA (creates depressant effect)

16. Process Addiction Activities • Reward pathways tend to prematurely stimulate production of dopamine in anticipation of the reward or action

17. Treatment • Two types of treatment: • Medical • Social • Both can be used in conjunction

18. Medical Treatment • Hospitalization, depending on severity • Anti-addiction medications • Methadone • Maltrexone • Researchers can identify genes that may cause addictions, and create medication to compensate for the gene • Ritalin helps with cocaine withdrawal, but can be subject to abuse

19. Social Treatment • Individual or group psychotherapy • Effective when addict ceases satisfying their addiction • 12-Step Program • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

20. Prevention • Early education of the effects of drugs • Learning one’s family history to learn of genetic predispositions, and adjusting environment accordingly • “The most effective form of prevention is having a stable family that understands the dangers of using mood-altering substances and practices.” • Abstaining from risky behaviors or addictive substances

21. Pedigree Investigator • Learn how pedigrees are created and interpreted Pedigree Investigator

22. Media • Bottoms Up to Finding Connection Between Genes and Addiction – PBS • Addiction Explained on “The Dr.”

23. Self Assessment • What is addiction? • How do genetic and environmental factors contribute to addiction? Is there a dominating factor? • What options are available for addiction treatment? • Define “process addiction” and provide an example of one.

24. Answers • A persistent compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. • 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. • Hospitalization and individual/group therapy. • Process addiction is the desire to perform mood altering behaviors. Gambling, Shopping, Eating, etc…