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Addiction: Why it isnt a choice
Introduction To Psychological Research. (PSYC 203)
Montclair State University
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Abstract This essay will analyze alcoholism and all of its underlying factors. It will go into specifics about why it is a disease, the proof supporting it, as well as how it affects those suffering. The qualifications for why it is a disease, diagnosis, symptoms, coincidence with mental illness, and how it affects the brain will also be looked over in this essay. Keywords: Alcoholism, addiction, disease, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, mental illness Alcoholism, A Disease: Why It Isn’t a Choice Amadec’s study (2010) has found the following: Genetic links to alcohol dependence have been specifically identified on chromosomes 13q14-q2, 4q22, and 4p13-p12. These traits may actually become evident in the individual's behavior, or they may not because genetic traits are enhanced or decreased by environmental factors. Studies have shown that as high as 40–60 percent of the risk for alcoholism is apparently associated with genetic factors. The risk appears to be greater in men than women, although some experts contend that some research indicates the risk is high among females as well. Tamara L. Wall, Ph.; Susan E. Luczak, Ph.; and Susanne Hiller-Sturmhöfel, Ph. (2016) state that “Gene variants encoding several of the alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), are among the largest genetic associations with risk for alcohol dependence.” (pg. 59) They continue on to say that multiple genome-wide association studies of alcohol abuse have found significant results in the chromosome 4q. This includes the ADH gene cluster in a multitude of ethnically diverse people. (pg. 60) In Amadec’s research (2010) , he has also found traits that can either increase or decrease a person’s risk for alcoholism, such as follows: A flushing response to alcohol, which tends to decrease the risk for alcohol dependence. A low level of response to alcohol, which tends to increase the risk for alcoholism. Personality characteristics such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and externalizing behaviors, which increase the risk. Psychiatric symptoms, which increase the risk. The Brain In his research, Lyvers (2000) explains that in a person experiencing alcoholism, the notion of said person having a “loss of their control” has become a widely accepted notion. This is thanks to alcoholism researcher, E. M. Jellinek. Biological theories of addiction have alternatively enforced that there are chronic drug-induced changes in brain dopamine systems, and acts as a possible reason for compulsive addictions. (pg. 227) Alcoholism, which is an addiction, shares traits with other addictions. It has been stated by Noël, Bechara, Brevers, Campanella, and Verbanck that numerous studies have shown that chronic alcohol consumption is linked to severe executive function deficits, which are still present after a period of alcohol abstinence. In addition, Tomberg (2010) states that, “One of the most impressive consequences of heavy drinking is that direct and indirect ethanol metabolites are detectable in the blood days or even weeks after alcohol withdrawal–well after the disappearances of alcohol in the Blood.” (pg. 220) He continues to explain that chronic alcohol consumption causes elevation of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) levels, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). (pg. 220) In a study done on identical twins in which one had alcoholism, Sack (2015) explains that both twins had brain abnormalities, such as less dense white matter in the front of the brain. This is an abnormality that suggests less self-control. They also had more gray matter in the brain’s mid regions, which is connected to an ability to form habits. Mental Illness Those who experience mental illness are more likely to abuse alcohol, and develop alcoholism. In a study conducted at the University of Buffalo by Zhuo and Connors (2013), they Alcoholism. (2016). In The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from online.infobase.com.libproxy.ocean:2048/HRC/Search/Details/389846?q=alcoholism is a disease Adamec, C., & Gold, M. S. (2010). Genetics and alcohol. In The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. New York: Facts On File. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from online.infobase.com.libproxy.ocean:2048/HRC/Search/Details/120941?q=alcoholism and genetics Berenz, E. C., Kevorkian, S., Chowdhury, N., Dick, D. M., Kendler, K. S., & Amstadter, A. B. (2016). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and alcohol-use motives in college students with a history of interpersonal trauma. Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors, 30(7), 755-763. doi:10/adb0000193 Noël, X., Bechara, A., Brevers, D., Verbanck, P., & Campanella, S. (n.). Alcoholism and the Loss of Willpower: A Neurocognitive Perspective. (4th ed., Vol. 24). Retrieved May 15, 2017, from web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.ocean:2048/ehost/detail/ Lyvers, M. (n.). “Loss of Control” in Alcoholism and Drug Addiction: A Neuroscientific Interpretation (2nd ed., Vol. 8). And Clinical Psychopharmacology. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.ocean:2048/ehost/detail/ Sack, D., MD. (2015, July 12). ‘If I Can Stop at Just One Drink, Why Can’t They?’. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from addiction/expert-blogs/if-i-can-stop-at-just-one-drinkwhy-cant-they/ Schlauch, R. C., Levitt, A., Bradizza, C. M., Stasiewicz, P. R., Lucke, J. F., Maisto, S. A., & ... Connors, G. J. (2013). Alcohol craving in patients diagnosed with a severe mental illness and alcohol use disorder: Bidirectional relationships between approach and avoidance inclinations and drinking. Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology, 81(6), 1087-1099. doi:10/a0033914 Scholten, Amy. (2012). Alcohol abuse and alcoholism: In depth. In R. Montilvo (Ed.), Addictions & Substance Abuse. Hackensack: Salem. Retrieved from online.salempress Wall, T. L., Ph, LuczaK, S. E., Ph, & Hiller-Sturmhöfel, S. (2016). Biology, Genetics, and Environment. 38(1), 59-60. Retrieved May 15, 2017. Tomberg, C. (2010). Alcohol Pathophysiology (4th ed., Vol. 24, Journal of Psychophysiology 2010). Hogrefe Publishing. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.ocean:2048/ehost/
Addiction: Why it isnt a choice
Course: Introduction To Psychological Research. (PSYC 203)
University: Montclair State University
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