Risk Factors for Addiction
GENETIC
Genetic factors predispose individuals to become addicted to some substances and genes do this by
influencing the way various substances are metabolised therefore influencing the response to the
substance by enhancing the positive or negative effects of the drug.
Faulty A1 DRD2 gene - reduction in dopamine receptors in the limbic system leads to people seeking
stimulation and therefore develop addictions
CHRNA5 gene - people are 2x more likely to become nicotine dependent
Shields et al examined the concordance between 42 twin pairs that were reared apart and found that
there as a concordance rate in 33 pairs showing genetic similarities in smoking
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - by understanding genes are a vulnerability, we can identify what
triggers these genes and get individuals to avoid these triggers.
➔ Biological reductionist - does not explain environmental factors
➔ Biologically deterministic - suggests that these individuals have no free will
STRESS
Everyday stress - people report that they smoke, drink, use drugs, gamble e.t.c. as a means of coping
with daily hassles such as relationship problems, money worries and workplace stress.
Traumatic stress - people exposed to severe stress (parent loss, child abuse) are more vulnerable to
addictions, especially children. PTSD is also linked to addiction.
Driessen et al found that 30% of drug addicts and 15% of alcoholics had some form of early trauma in
their lives.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - stress management therapy to help alleviate stress and addictions
➔ Research support - Anderson and Taylor suggest that early experiences of severe stress
have damaging effects on the brain in a sensitive part of development, creating a vulnerability
to addictions
➔ Issues with validity - not everyone who experiences stress develops addictions
PERSONALITY
Traits that may lead to addictions:
● Extraversion - chronic underarousal, want to gain stimulation
● Neuroticism - high negative emotions
● Psychoticism - sensation seeking, impulsive
● Novelty seeking behaviours - thrill seeking, want to gain new stimulation
● Impulsivity - risk taking personality, more likely to engage in addictive behaviours
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) has been strongly linked to addictions, as individuals with this
disorder have an impulsivity issue. Individuals with this:
● Have a high degree of risk taking
● Prefer immediate gratification instead of long term goals
● Generally lead chaotic lives
EVALUATIONS
➔ Idiographic - personality explains for individual differences
➔ Practical applications - can help people manage their impulsivity through therapy
➔ Issues with validity - people with these personality traits may not develop addictions
FAMILY INFLUENCES
Social learning theory suggests that we may ‘learn’ to become addicted to behaviours through
vicarious reinforcement and role models.
Parenting style:
GENETIC
Genetic factors predispose individuals to become addicted to some substances and genes do this by
influencing the way various substances are metabolised therefore influencing the response to the
substance by enhancing the positive or negative effects of the drug.
Faulty A1 DRD2 gene - reduction in dopamine receptors in the limbic system leads to people seeking
stimulation and therefore develop addictions
CHRNA5 gene - people are 2x more likely to become nicotine dependent
Shields et al examined the concordance between 42 twin pairs that were reared apart and found that
there as a concordance rate in 33 pairs showing genetic similarities in smoking
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - by understanding genes are a vulnerability, we can identify what
triggers these genes and get individuals to avoid these triggers.
➔ Biological reductionist - does not explain environmental factors
➔ Biologically deterministic - suggests that these individuals have no free will
STRESS
Everyday stress - people report that they smoke, drink, use drugs, gamble e.t.c. as a means of coping
with daily hassles such as relationship problems, money worries and workplace stress.
Traumatic stress - people exposed to severe stress (parent loss, child abuse) are more vulnerable to
addictions, especially children. PTSD is also linked to addiction.
Driessen et al found that 30% of drug addicts and 15% of alcoholics had some form of early trauma in
their lives.
EVALUATION
➔ Practical applications - stress management therapy to help alleviate stress and addictions
➔ Research support - Anderson and Taylor suggest that early experiences of severe stress
have damaging effects on the brain in a sensitive part of development, creating a vulnerability
to addictions
➔ Issues with validity - not everyone who experiences stress develops addictions
PERSONALITY
Traits that may lead to addictions:
● Extraversion - chronic underarousal, want to gain stimulation
● Neuroticism - high negative emotions
● Psychoticism - sensation seeking, impulsive
● Novelty seeking behaviours - thrill seeking, want to gain new stimulation
● Impulsivity - risk taking personality, more likely to engage in addictive behaviours
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) has been strongly linked to addictions, as individuals with this
disorder have an impulsivity issue. Individuals with this:
● Have a high degree of risk taking
● Prefer immediate gratification instead of long term goals
● Generally lead chaotic lives
EVALUATIONS
➔ Idiographic - personality explains for individual differences
➔ Practical applications - can help people manage their impulsivity through therapy
➔ Issues with validity - people with these personality traits may not develop addictions
FAMILY INFLUENCES
Social learning theory suggests that we may ‘learn’ to become addicted to behaviours through
vicarious reinforcement and role models.
Parenting style:
