Introduction
Genes and other factors, such as the environment, have been linked to addiction. Psychologists need to understand the relationship between genes and addiction for better treatment options. The literature review will summarize four different articles, give their strengths and weaknesses, and describe the relationship they have with personal development as an aspiring counselor.
Article 1
The study sheds light on the complex dynamics of geneticization and its impact on personal narratives by linking genetics with addiction (Dingel et al., 2018). Genetic investigations have complex interactions that show the necessity of understanding phenotypes and genotypes associated with addiction. The authors suggest that people omit environmental and structural variables such as poverty that also influence substance use addiction when they focus on biological roots. It results in pharmaceutical treatments that ignore strategies that account for the broader context (Dingel et al., 2018). Additionally, the authors introduce addiction as an influence on behavioral traits. This means that the environment is a behavior influenced by genetics. Behavioral genetics are usually studied by psychologists on how genes impact traits or behaviors like mental disorders. Understanding the role played by genes helps in comprehending aspects of addiction and related behaviors (Dingel et al., 2018). Stigmatization as a result of addiction, particularly in comparison to known genetic components, was discussed. The study recognizes that while a genetic basis may reduce blame and stigma in theory, practical implications reveal persistent societal perceptions of addiction as a result of personal weakness.
The study done in Minnesota used a sample size of 63 participants from three different treatment programs (Dingel et al., 2018). The population selected was diverse, covering different socioeconomic, racial, and ethical individuals in urban and rural areas. The participants were being treated for alcohol, smoking, or a combination of these with other illicit drugs. They were ages between 25 and 73. It used semi-structured interviews that lasted between 30 and 45 minutes. The interviews were recorded and uploaded to the qualitative analysis software NVivo. The analysis was refined to maintain originality by referencing the original interviews. In their findings, over 80% of the sample linked their addiction with gene addictions (Dingel et al., 2018). Most of the respondents agreed that a family history of addiction has relations with genetics, rejecting the role of environment. Most participants were concerned and confirmed that their children might have an addiction pattern. Some respondents did not follow the genetics view of addiction. They implied that environmental factors such as learning behaviors led to their addictions.
The article clearly states their objectives of understanding genetic addictions. The research is diverse, including people from different ages and different backgrounds. Not only did the users use a clear methodology, but their findings were well explained, quoting some of the answers given. The study could use quantitative data that could be demonstrated in tables and charts to show their findings. This article could benefit from deeper investigations on the long-term impacts of genetic knowledge on individuals’ treatment outcomes and perceptions to provide valuable insights. The article and question relate to my personal development as a counselor through its holistic approach to understanding diverse populations and addressing stigma in therapeutic settings.
Article 2
The article “The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study” emphasizes that most addiction studies focus on specific and often have contradictory results. It aims to describe the PGA study that applies an integrative approach to understanding the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Psychological characteristics such as emotional state were found to influence addictions (Kotyuk et al., 2018). Hereditary aspects can cause dysfunctions in the brain, causing a hypodopaminergic activity that requires a dopamine fix, leading to multiple drug-seeking behaviors. Addiction has multiple causes, including genetic factors, personal traits, and brain biology. The study carried out a national study of 3,003 adolescents from high schools, colleges, and universities in Hungary (Kotyuk et al., 2018). Data was collected using questionnaires and DNA samples. Research assistants contacted college and university students for their consent to collect their DNAs and be administered questionnaires. The questionnaires aimed to cover a wide range of addictions in relation to age.
The study’s evident strength is the comprehensive approach that integrated epidemiological, genetic, and psychological analysis to investigate factors contributing to SUD and behavioral addictions. The sample size of 3003 enhances its reliability of genetic associations and statistical power (Kotyuk et al., 2018). The target group of adolescents can pose biasness, affecting the findings. The use of people from a specific demography can cause biasness, hence the need for embracing cross-cultural research.
The article could benefit from further research on epigenetic mechanisms that play crucial roles in addiction. This involves changes in gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors through research. Effective treatment strategies after their findings could be investigated in relation to genetics and addiction. As an aspiring counselor, the article will help develop my understanding of epigenetic mechanism roles in addiction.
Article 3
Drug and substance abuse becomes a psychological substance dependency when the individual is no longer in control of its use. What starts as a habit or a choice eventually transforms into a brain disease influenced by genetics, creating an addiction. Substance use treatment has been challenging, including abstinence, replacement, and psychotherapy. Twin and adoption studies have shown that SUDs have been genetically influenced. The article highlights the significant progress in understanding the genetics of substance use disorders (SUDs), emphasizing the distinction between genetic influences on frequency measures of substance use and symptoms related to physical dependence (Gelernter & Polimanti, 2021). The shift from considering SUDs as habits to recognizing them as genetically influenced brain diseases is underscored by biological data. Treatment challenges for SUDs prompt the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying biology. The review discusses legal and illegal substances separately, acknowledging environmental and exposure influences. Complementary approaches, including epigenomics and transcriptomics, enhance the biological understanding of SUDs, offering potential avenues for improved treatments (Gelernter & Polimanti, 2021). The article uses a literature review by synthesizing genetic epidemiology methods such as twin studies and the use of biobanks.
The study considered the different drugs separately, taking into account the environmental and genetic factors for a clear picture of their relation to addiction. The data was collected from a diverse population of European descent, creating a well-researched paper. The paper is Eurocentric; hence, the findings raise concerns about generalization. As a counselor, the article gives a holistic understanding, enabling a personalized approach to counselling.
Article 4
The article focuses on investigating the reason why some people become addicted while some do not and if learned behavior or genetics have anything to do with it. It further highlights changes in the classification of addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Individuals’ backgrounds and social status determine if one can be an addict, but so does genetics, as modern medicine dictates. 40-60% of addiction is related to heredity. Epigenetics studies showed that environmental factors could alter genes without changing the DNA. This makes them vulnerable to neuroplastic changes induced by drugs. The paper discusses neurotransmitters like dopamine in addiction, emphasizing their diverse roles and timings in the addictive process. The article highlights the primary psychological disorders contributing to addiction, like depression. It stresses the importance of addressing both psychological and pharmacological aspects for effective addiction treatment. They conduct a systematic review of articles that have been published in the last 15 years from the PubMed database. They filtered using the keywords in the research questions. They found out that pharmaceuticals and genetics play a vital role in addiction.
The article has outlined the psychological dimensions that are associated with addictive behaviors such as depression. The article recognizes the need for profound change through a dual approach of addressing pharmacological and psychological aspects of addiction treatment. The article oversimplifies the complicity that genetics has on addiction. It also has limited discussions on treatment methods, which readers could benefit from
Conducting. Examining the dynamic interactions between genetic factors, environmental influences, and addiction trajectories can inform targeted prevention and intervention approaches. As an aspiring counselor, delving into psychological dimensions such as depression along with vulnerability factors like insecure attachments have been explored. These aspects are pivotal in comprehending the psychological determinants as a counselor will help tailor new interventions that may work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the review has shown that there is evidence of genetics playing a role in addiction. In addition to that, other factors such as the environment and behavior play their roles in addiction or combination with genes. Treatment varies from medication, rehab, and support groups. There is a need for deeper research on the treatment strategies that treat genetic addiction without involving other medications.
References
Dingel, M. J., Ostergren, J., Koenig, B. A., & McCormick, J. (2018). “Why did I get that part of you?” Understanding addiction genetics through family history. Public Understanding of Science, 28(1), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662518785350
Gelernter, J., & Polimanti, R. (2021). Genetics of substance use disorders in the era of big data. Nature Reviews Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-021-00377-1
Kotyuk, E., Farkas, J., Magi, A., Eisinger, A., Király, O., Vereczkei, A., Barta, C., Griffiths, M. D., Kökönyei, G., Székely, A., Sasvári-Székely, M., & Demetrovics, Z. (2018). The psychological and genetic factors of the addictive behaviors (PGA) study. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 28(1), e1748. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1748
Mavrikaki, M. (2019, January 28). Your genes and addiction – Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/your-genes-and-addiction-2019012815730
Mosel, S. (2023). Is Drug Addiction Genetic? American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-genetic#:~:text=Complex%20interactions%20between%20an%20individual
Popescu, A., Marian, M., Drăgoi, A. M., & Costea, R.-V. (2021). Understanding the genetics and neurobiological pathways behind addiction (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 21(5). https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9976
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