Health Sciences 1001A/B Lecture : HBO – Addiction video.docx
14 Apr 2012
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It always starts at a very young age, never at an older age. Addiction starts btw the ages of 13 to 25. People don"t do drugs out of free will; it"s like a reflex. The area of the brain that allows us to make free decision, is not working. Drug addiction is the disease of the brain! Some people are more vulnerable to drug abuse genetically and environment plays a key role as well. High risk envir non parental supervision, access to drugs. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls behavior. Drug abuse hijacks the dopamine receptor and takes over. There is no reward part that is functioning (naturally). The research subject stole stuff, so he can buy more of the drug. Drug will release a huge dose of dopamine. Some people do drugs to feel normal instead of being bored, tired, scared and so on. That"s the question that researchers have to still find.
