ADDICTION: RISK FACTORS IN DEVELOPMENT OF ADDICTION (GENETIC, PERSONALITY, STRESS, FAMILY, PEERS)

• Internal or external 
• Increases likelihood of starting drugs or engaging in addictive behaviour

• Inherit predisposition/ vulnerability
• Some dependant and some aren't
• Interaction between genes and environment 
• Not addicted unless exposed 

D2 RECEPTOR 

• Communicated with neurotransmitter dopamine
• Low levels of D2 associatedd with addiction 
• Levels determined by genetics

METABOLISM

• Fast metabolism results in becoming addicted as you consume more to feel same effects
• Rate inherited through genes 

RESEARCH: PIANEZZA

• non smokers = low level of eznsyme which breaks down nicotine
• Enzyme is genetically determined
• Fully functioning enzyme = greater risk of nicotine addiction

• Physical and psychological arousal
• Believe they dont have ability to cope 
• Periods of chronic, long lasting stress and traumatic life events linked to risk of developing addiction
• Not the level of stress but how they percieve their ability to cope with the stress makes them more vulnerable
• EG: high stress and social support = ability to cope 

RESEARCH: EPSTEIN

• NAtional Womens Study
• Correlation between childhood **** and diagnosed PTSD with adult alcoholism

ANDERSEN AND TEICHER

• Early experiencfe of stress has damaging effects on brain during sensitive period of development 
• Creates vulnerability to addiction in adolescence/ young adulthood

• Consistent patterns of thinking, feelings and behaviours  over time
• Not one personality linked to addicition 
• Traits linked to addicition (neurotic and psychopathic)
• NEUROTICISM = high levels of anxiety, irritability, anger, guilt, depressed, low self efficacy
• PSYCHOTICISM = Impulsive, sensation seeking, chaotic, lack planning
• Pathologcal personalities = more likley to become addicts as theyre offered relief from drug/ bhvr

RESEARCH: WAN SEN YAN ET AL

• Relationship between personality characteristics and addiction
• Looked at Eysenck theory 
• Found high lvl of neuroticism linked to internet addiction

• Family effect thoughts, feelings and behaviour in development
• Percieved parental approval  - parents have positive attitude towards bhvr/ substance \
• Have little intervention in behaviour = more likely to develop addicition
• Exposure to drug/ bhvr = more likely to start using when its an everyday feature in family

RESEARCH : LIVINGSTON ET AL 

• Final year of highschool who have parent with positive attitudes with permission to drink = significantly more likely to drink excessive in college 

• Peers = share interests, age, similar backgrounds and social status
• Influence development as spend more time with peers than family 
• ATTITIUDES AND NORMS - Group of peers who drink alcohol 
• OPPORTUNITIES - More experienced in drink = more opportunities provided 
• INDIVIDUALS PERCEPTION - Overestimate how much drink = drink more to keep up
• Group norm of rule breaking is influential EG cannabis leads to opportunity of rule breaking and try new drugs

RESEARCH : O' CONNELL

• Older children = at risk of developing alcohol addiciton due to influence of peers 

P- Retrospective data

E- Recall info of addiciton from past = make up leading to inaccuracy 

E- Findings dont support risk factos , reduce int validity

L- Weaken support when look at risk factors in develop addicition

P- Not absolute findings

E- Individual differences = Not all with the factors develop addiction 

E- Other factors involved = unconscious motives

L- Need to learn more about risk factors

P- Culture bias

E- Western = America

E- Difficult to generalise to Non west = Kenya = different norms/ values

L- These impact their risk factors so need to understand their norms/ values

P- Practical applications

E- Doctors can use to create treatments/ prevention

E- Peer Pressure Resistance Training = avoid smoking 

L - Important part of applied psych and prevent addiction