Alcoholism Genetic or a Learned Behavior Essay examples

Alcoholism: Genetic or Learned Behavior? First, before I could answer this question, I had to do a little research. Alcohol addiction is a physical dependence on alcohol which occurs gradually. Over time, drink too much alcohol changed the balance of chemicals in your brain associated with the pleasure aspects of drinking alcohol. Excessive, long-term drinking can affect the balance of these chemicals, causing your body to crave alcohol to restore good feelings or to avoid negative feelings. â€Å"Alcoholism was officially recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association in 1991†. ( http://www.learn-about-alcoholism.com/alcoholism-disease.html ). What causes alcoholism? Is alcoholism inherited from a parent or is†¦show more content†¦However, it was dramatically higher among the twins whose biological fathers were alcoholics, regardless of the presence of alcoholism in their adoptive families. (http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/genetics/a/aa990517.htm) The studies also showed one twin doesn’t always become an alcoholic just because the other twin is. So since the twins had the same genetic makeup, other factors such as environment had to be taken into consideration. I think that although genetics are involved with my cousin’s disease, I feel that the larger factor involved is his learned behaviors from his family and friends. He now lives with his dad in a drinking environment where it is accepted and encouraged. I think that his social factors played a huge role in his alcoholism. He has been exposed to alcohol in his home life as well as the pressures from his peers. Not only is he drinking with his dad, but all of dad’s friends. When he is exposed to alcohol abuse constantly, it is an increased likelihood that the behavior will be repeated by my cousin. It is difficult for him to stay away from bad drinking habits when he is surrounded by an atmosphere of drinking. On weekend’s I believe their motto is â€Å"Let the good times roll†. Children are most likely to abuse alcohol if their family tolerates deviance in general or encourages excitement and pleasure seeking (Morris Maisto, pg. 156) (Finn, Sharkansky, Brandt, Turcotte, 2000) As I mentioned earlier, evenShow MoreRelated Alcohol Essay1434 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is alcoholism? 2. How do people become alcoholics? 3. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? 4. How do you diagnose alcoholism? 5. Is there a cure for alcoholics? 6. What is the treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism can be defined as the dependency on alcohol; addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disease, this disease called alcoholism is progressive and potentially fatal. â€Å" In 1966 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Alcoholism a diseaseRead MoreWhat Is The Collaborative Study On The Genetics Of Alcoholism?1097 Words   |  5 Pagesthe constant need to consume alcohol. Although not as discussed, genetic variants play a role in individuals developing alcoholism. Through a genome-wide association study, these articles were able to identify and interpret some variants that relate to this disease. The article by Bierut et al. (2010) is a discovery science article, in which there are no hypotheses tested. This article focuses on alcohol dependence and the genetic influences that contribute. Various case subjects were used to analyzeRead MoreNature Through Nurture : Nature And Nurture1207 Words   |  5 Pagesthrough nurture†. We are able to see GENETIC influence in development through twin studies and adoptive studies. In 1979, Thomas Bouchard, conducted a study where he studied twins separated and birth. By observing these twins, he found that twins that were separated at birth and put into different families were just as likely to have the same personality traits and interests as those that were born and raised together. With this study, he was able to prove that genetics played a bigger role into a person’sRead MoreIs Problematic Behavior Genetics Or Learned?952 Words   |  4 PagesProblematic Behavior Genetics or Learned? : A Review of Literature Psychologists have been studying problematic behaviors for years. In some cases problematic behaviors can come from the same household and act totally different from one another. That’s what sparked researchers to try and figure out whether the behavior was learned, genetics, or is it from the person’s(infants, toddlers, adolescents, teens , and adults) environment. In order to figure out whether kids behaviors are genetic or if theyRead MorePathophysiology Of Alcoholism And Addictive Disorders935 Words   |  4 Pages1. Describe the pathophysiology of alcoholism and addictive disorders. The pathophysiology of alcoholism begins after alcohol the ingestion of alcohol. It is absorbed and unaltered through the stomach and intestines. 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According to statistics on alcoholism and alcohol abuse statistics, even though alcohol has been used in a number of diverse ways. a. Throughout history these ways can be called useful, however, known thousands of years ago that abusive and excessive drinking led to negative outcomes and adverse alcohol side effects. b. The symptoms associated with this are mostly societal and personal problems. 2. Research studies have shown that teenage alcoholism is correlated to the age at which teensRead MoreCritique of Cohen and Benjamins Argument on Alcoholism919 Words   |  4 PagesCohen and Benjamin’s Argument Cohen and Benjamin assert that alcoholics should not be categorically excluded from access to liver transplantation. They argue that alcoholism is a disease and not a choice, and end stage liver damage requiring transplantation is a consequence of this disease. Furthermore, they argue that even if alcoholism is a choice, medicine should not incorporate moral judgments in the considerations of treatment decisions for the patient. They support this reasoning through threeRead MoreAlcoholism : Alcohol And Alcohol Addiction1362 Words   |  6 Pages Alcoholism is an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. Alcoholism formerly called alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, is the more severe end of the alcohol use disorder spectrum. It is a destructive pattern of alcohol use that includes tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, using more alcohol or using it for longer than planned, and trouble reducing its use or inability to use it in moderationRead MoreWhat I Have Thought About Addiction823 Words   |  4 Pagescostume, we/I viewed moderate alcohol assumption as a norm behavior. For instance, in most occasions’ alcohol use was part of celebration. Although I know some exceptions do exist that attributes to certain religions. What I have thought about addiction is a chronic, but treatable disorder. I am aware of that people who are addicted cannot control their need or crave for alcohol or other drugs in which this lack of control changes behavior, and ultimately lead to a brain damage. While alcohol