While addiction has been largely studied as a consequence of substance use (i.e., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, etc.), addiction is posited to also occur in cases of non-substance use, or otherwise known as behavioral addiction. For example, although early additions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) only considered addiction in terms of substance use, as the field of addiction research advanced, gambling addiction—one type of behavioral addiction—was added into the third edition of the DSM (Reilly & Smith, 2013). Since then, although Gambling Disorder remains the only behavioral addiction in the most current edition of the DSM, the DSM-V (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013), other behavioral addictions …show more content…
Otherwise known as the reward system, the dopaminergic system has long been associated with addiction in general and is the main basis of one of theories that seek to explain the neural pathways that underlie addiction, the allostatic theory of addiction. The dopaminergic system refers to the neural pathways that transmits dopamine throughout the brain through a number of pathways, with some of the main pathways being the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways (Davis, Charney, Coyle, & Nemeroff, 2002; Koob & Le Moal, 2005; Nestler 2005), which transmit dopamine from ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the prefrontal cortex, respectively. While dopaminergic pathways cover large portions of the brains, the dopaminergic neurons—neurons the produce dopamine—are clustered in only a few specific areas (primarily in the VTA and substantia nigra). It is through these pathways that dopamine can also influence a variety of aspects such as executive functioning, reward/motivation behavior, and cognitive changes. In regards to reward and motivation, key areas that have been implicated are the VTA, NAc and ventral striatum, prefrontal cortices, caudate nucleus, putamen, amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate …show more content…
However, it is not only the act of dopamine release as a response that results in addiction to the trigger, but the pattern of dopamine increase and decrease that is explained by the allostatic theory of addiction (George, Le Moal, & Koob, 2012). According to this theory, the engagement in the experience that activates the dopaminergic neurons results in an increase in dopamine levels resulting in a dopamine high. After the dopamine high is reached, however, the dopamine levels do not simply “reset” back to the base dopamine levels but instead fall below the base dopamine levels. Dopamine levels then rise again over time—a process that takes longer than the time it took to reach the dopamine high—to return to the base dopamine levels or “set point”. Over time, the dopamine high that is achieved decreases while the process to return to the “set point” is more intense, resulting in symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal respectively. Outside of the natural rewards and drugs of abuse, however, dopamine has also been shown to increase in response to non-natural rewards (i.e., internet gaming) (Koepp et al., 1998; Hoeft et al., 2008). The present article seeks to examine the effects of Internet gaming and Internet use on the dopaminergic pathways in the brain and brain areas, as well as compare Internet gaming and use
The term addiction can be interpreted in many ways, concering both illegal and legal substances. Not only can one become addicted to a substance, but also activities like gambling, shoplifting, and sex. Prior to considering addiction, one must first understand what constitutes a substance. Levinthal (2002) describes a drug as a chemical substance that changes the functioning of the body when ingested (4). Although illegal drugs may come to mind when hearing this definition, alcohol and tobacco fit under this criteria as well. For the purpose of this essay, controlled and regulated (licit/legal) substances will be focused upon. Alcohol is a regulated substance that can be thought of as a social drug (Levinthal, 2002, p.192) and arguably tobacco
The biopsychosocial model of addiction theorizes that crossing biological, psychological and social and systemic properties are essential features of health and
Lash, S. J., Timko, C, Curran, G M., McKay, J R., Burden, J L.; (Jun, 2011). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors; Vol 25(2); 238-251. Doi: 10.1037/a0022608
Drugs seem to cause surges in dopamine neurotransmitters and other pleasure brain messengers. However, the brain quickly adapts and these circuits desensitize, which allows for withdrawal symptoms to occur (3). Drug addiction works on some of the same neurobiological mechanisms that aid in learning and memories (3). "This new view of dopamine as an aid to learning rather than a pleasure mediator may help explain why many addictive drugs, which unleash massive surges of the neurotransmitter in the brain, can drive continued use without producing pleasure-as when cocaine addicts continue to take hits long after the euphoric effects of the drug have worn off or when smokers smoke after cigarettes become distasteful." (4)
Drug addiction is often characterized as being a complex brain disease that causes compulsive, uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking and use without any regards to the consequences they may bring upon themselves, or society. As long as the brain is exposed to these large amounts of dopamine on the reward system, it will inevitably develop a tolerance to the current dopamine levels, which it is receiving, lessening the pleasure the user will experience. In order to satisfy the brains “reward...
According to Leshner, drug addiction is a chronic brain disease that is expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors (Leshner, 2001). He believes that drug addiction is influence by both biological, and behavioral factors, and to solve this addiction problem we need to focus on these same factors. On the other hand, Neil Levy argues that addiction is not a brain disease rather it is a behavioral disorder embedded in social context (Levy, 2013). I believe, drug addiction is a recurring brain disease that can be healed when we alter and eliminate all the factors that are reinforcing drug addiction.
"Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Signs, Help, and Treatment." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. Web. 12 May 2011. .
Dopamine is a reward chemical in the brain which rewards us every time we do something positive. Addiction comes from that chemical and can be created from various activities. Someone might enjoy jumping off a cliff, eating food, taking drugs or even play video games. Every time your brain enjoys something, dopamine is release and you start feeling good. The reason drug addiction is more complex, your brain will create more dopamine the more drugs you take. Eventually, your body will fight off the foreign product and dopamine will be created in too high dosage. Your body will become addicted to the dopamine, not the drug as previously thought by doctors.
There is a growing trend that outside of substance use, activities that individuals engage in which they exhibit additive tendencies are now being considered to be addictions rather than the result of poor impulse control. For example, rather than using substances to cope or to achieve pleasurable feelings, individuals are also inclined to indulge in nondrug related self-rewarding behaviors for the same purposes (Karim & Chaudhri, 2012). The correlation between the use of substances and addictive behaviors is the way in which the brain interprets these feelings and how the brain’s reward system is triggered. By engaging in nondrug related activities,
Toates, F. (2010) ‘The nature of addictions: scientific evidence and personal accounts’ in SDK228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health, Book 3, Addictions, Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 1-30.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 42(2), 133-145. Joranby, L., Pineda, K., & Gold, M. S. (2005). Addiction to Food and Brain Reward Systems. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 12(2-3), 201-217. doi:10.1080/10720160500203765.
Addiction is something that may seem inevitable but at the end it’s entirely the fault of a person who is addicted. In the article by Charles Duhigg ‘the power of habit’ Angie Bachmann got addicted to gambling, it was because of her fault as she kept accepting the offers from cassino and many other reasons.. Both knew what they were doing but still Angie let herself get into the situation, and the casino encouraged it. She was a well settled housewife, when everybody used to leave the house she was all alone. One fine day, while passing through the street she took a visit to casino just for a change.
Humans are environmentally and genetically predisposed to developing a motivated addictive behavior. Addiction is a brain disease and a behavior. All behaviors are choices. Choices that adolescences make at a young age directly affect the outcomes of their futures. Many factors contribute to an adolescence becoming an addict or exhibiting a drug seeking behavior. Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine release. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in drug abuse and addiction. Dopamine plays a role in reward motivated behaviors, motor control and important hormones. It’s known as the “feel good hormone” which is why people abuse drugs that increase the release of dopamine. Since life is unpredictable, our brains have evolved the ability to remodel themselves in response to our experiences. The more we practice an activity the more neurons developed in order to fine-tune that activity causing addictive behaviors to be detrimental.
Gambling addiction is an issue found in numerous areas where gambling is legal. People who are addicted to gambling, also know as problem gamblers, face many health risks including depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, migraine and anxiety in addition to marriage breakdown, problems at work and bankruptcy (9). About 2 percent of adults are thought to be problem gamblers (1). In today’s society this costly addiction is not often considered to be a common problem among those who gamble. Only a small amount of states in the U.S. give enough attention toward this rising problem of people that are sometimes even willing to commit crimes just to aid their addiction. In the past our government has sought out a few solutions that help those who have developed an addiction and prevent a further increase in the number of people becoming addicted. Personally, my outlook on the problem is that it needs a better solution. I think that a higher funding to gambling addiction clinics, more ordinance and restriction laws, and more prevention and awareness programs should bee brought into consideration in order to lower the amount of people who become addict to gambling.
Smith, Melinda, and Lawrence Robinson. "Understanding Addiction." : How Addiction Hijacks the Brain. Robert Segal, 1999. Web. 20 May 2014.