Question

Discuss the nature of addictions. Why do people fall into addictions? What are some examples of common addictions? Do you know someone who has struggled with addictions? What does the Bible have to say about such matters? The answer must be 250 words or longer.

Answer 1

Addiction may be defined as a mental, behavioural and emotional condition in which a person engages in use of a substance or in a substance seeking behaviour for which the rewards to engage repeatedly are greater in spite of prevalent adverse consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, opioids, cocaine, nicotine, and others, or behaviors such as gambling, Internet addiction,etc.

while there is no one cause of addiction, research as shown a strong genetic or neurobiological basis for addictions,, many social, psychological, and environmental factors have a powerful influence on substance use as well . Although, There is no one personality type associated with addiction, The lack of ability to tolerate distress or other strong feelings, vulnerability to impulse control disorders, high extrinsic locus of control is linked to addiction.

The addictive substances share a key neurobiological feature and are found to activate brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, many of which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for inducing the feelings of pleasure and well-being in the users. Thus, addiction affects the brain’s executive functions and individuals who develop an addiction may not have an insight that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others around them. As a result, with related usage of the drug, they develop tolerance and begin to consume higher and higher dosets of the substance which further makes it difficult to overcome their addiction. Over time, pursuit of the pleasurable effects of the substance may dominate an individual’s activities.