parents.
Figure 8-2. Nicotine acts at receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These receptors, which are ion-gated receptors, are shown from a more sideways perspective in Figure 4-2 , but from a more top-down view in this figure. These nicotinic cholinergic receptors are composed of five subunit proteins that bundle together to form a circle around a central pore. When acetylcholine or nicotine binds to the receptor proteins (at the places marked with an asterisk), ions (electrical charges) migrate through the pore into the post-synaptic neuron. The receptors can be composed of a variety of different subunits to produce a variety of subtypes of nicotinic receptors. Some of these subtypes are shown in the figure. Receptors comprised of different subtypes might function differently and confer different levels of vulnerability to smoking. (From NIDA Notes, “Studies Link Family of Genes to Nicotine Addiction,” Vol. 22, December 2009.)
Now here’s the relevant part. Studies have linked various subunits to aspects of smoking (see the following sidebar). It is this kind of research that leads to real understandings of the molecules of addiction—and ultimately to improve medications for such addicts. Again, the brain is complex, and having a “bad” subtype does not mean that someone will, without question, have the addiction. But, he or she will have an increased overall vulnerability.
----
Genetic studies have become amazingly sophisticated, and it is a triumph that many different receptor subunits have been related to aspects of smoking. This sidebar summarizes some of the work in this area relating smoking to nicotinic receptor subunits. Findings such as these can guide our efforts in the search for new medications, and they offer hope that someday we will understand enough about drug addiction that we can develop better medications for treating drug users. (Adapted from NIDA Notes, “Studies Link Family of Genes to Nicotine Addiction,” Vol. 22, December 2009.)
----
This information tells us that the influence of our genes on drug taking varies from person to person, and that each person has a different level of biological vulnerability. Most people exposed to addicting drugs do not become addicts. Data shows that the likelihood of addiction is partly due to hereditary factors—our genes. But environmental factors (for example, the availability of drugs, high stress, emotional problems, and peer pressure to use drugs) are essential. Although genetics might account for as much as 20–40 percent of our vulnerability, 2 it isn’t correct to blame just our genetics for our level of drug use.
Psychological Problems
Drug use in individuals is often associated with a variety of emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other complicated problems referred to as antisocial personality disorders and conduct disorders. In one study, between 21 and 32 percent of nicotine-dependent subjects had an additional mental health diagnosis. Although this made up only 7.1 percent of the population, they consumed more than 34 percent of all the cigarettes in the U.S. 3
Some of these mental health disorders might either be caused by, or exist independently of, substance use. In any case, they can facilitate drug use—a justification for treating both problems when an individual suffers from both drug use and a mental health disorder. Sometimes, withdrawal or cessation of drug use can precipitate problems such as anxiety; in this instance, treating the mental problem can make drug addiction treatment more successful. Related to this, it has been suggested that at least some drug addicts begin using drugs to self-medicate and treat problems such as anxiety. This means that if you use addicting drugs, you might have a mental health problem in addition to the use of drugs. If you do, then dealing with that will reduce your vulnerability to drug taking. Mental
Figure 8-2. Nicotine acts at receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. These receptors, which are ion-gated receptors, are shown from a more sideways perspective in Figure 4-2 , but from a more top-down view in this figure. These nicotinic cholinergic receptors are composed of five subunit proteins that bundle together to form a circle around a central pore. When acetylcholine or nicotine binds to the receptor proteins (at the places marked with an asterisk), ions (electrical charges) migrate through the pore into the post-synaptic neuron. The receptors can be composed of a variety of different subunits to produce a variety of subtypes of nicotinic receptors. Some of these subtypes are shown in the figure. Receptors comprised of different subtypes might function differently and confer different levels of vulnerability to smoking. (From NIDA Notes, “Studies Link Family of Genes to Nicotine Addiction,” Vol. 22, December 2009.)
Now here’s the relevant part. Studies have linked various subunits to aspects of smoking (see the following sidebar). It is this kind of research that leads to real understandings of the molecules of addiction—and ultimately to improve medications for such addicts. Again, the brain is complex, and having a “bad” subtype does not mean that someone will, without question, have the addiction. But, he or she will have an increased overall vulnerability.
----
Genetic studies have become amazingly sophisticated, and it is a triumph that many different receptor subunits have been related to aspects of smoking. This sidebar summarizes some of the work in this area relating smoking to nicotinic receptor subunits. Findings such as these can guide our efforts in the search for new medications, and they offer hope that someday we will understand enough about drug addiction that we can develop better medications for treating drug users. (Adapted from NIDA Notes, “Studies Link Family of Genes to Nicotine Addiction,” Vol. 22, December 2009.)
----
This information tells us that the influence of our genes on drug taking varies from person to person, and that each person has a different level of biological vulnerability. Most people exposed to addicting drugs do not become addicts. Data shows that the likelihood of addiction is partly due to hereditary factors—our genes. But environmental factors (for example, the availability of drugs, high stress, emotional problems, and peer pressure to use drugs) are essential. Although genetics might account for as much as 20–40 percent of our vulnerability, 2 it isn’t correct to blame just our genetics for our level of drug use.
Psychological Problems
Drug use in individuals is often associated with a variety of emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other complicated problems referred to as antisocial personality disorders and conduct disorders. In one study, between 21 and 32 percent of nicotine-dependent subjects had an additional mental health diagnosis. Although this made up only 7.1 percent of the population, they consumed more than 34 percent of all the cigarettes in the U.S. 3
Some of these mental health disorders might either be caused by, or exist independently of, substance use. In any case, they can facilitate drug use—a justification for treating both problems when an individual suffers from both drug use and a mental health disorder. Sometimes, withdrawal or cessation of drug use can precipitate problems such as anxiety; in this instance, treating the mental problem can make drug addiction treatment more successful. Related to this, it has been suggested that at least some drug addicts begin using drugs to self-medicate and treat problems such as anxiety. This means that if you use addicting drugs, you might have a mental health problem in addition to the use of drugs. If you do, then dealing with that will reduce your vulnerability to drug taking. Mental
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