The Scientific And Biological Basis Behind Addiction

The scientific and biological basis behind addiction is irrefutable. Substances and specific actions increase activity of chemical levels in our brain that make one feel euphoric. Depending on what drug and act in which one partakes different neurons fire in the synaptic gap, the more frequent the intake the more dependent you become. Yet, the classic scientific approach has been present for years and addiction is still prevalent in numbers. I don’t believe the scientific reason is what causes addiction; but it definitely supports it to continue. The answer is not biological but rather an emotional problem with foundations in social and cultural pressures of our society – the root of addiction problems stem from the psychological desire to escape the problems, stress and isolation of life’s reality. In 1987, Dr. Bruce K. Alexander conducted an addiction study on a colony of white rats. However his study differed from prior rat experiments because of the livin g conditions in which the rats were held. In the past opiate addicted rats were isolated in small metal cages, tethered to a self-injection appliance. Alexander argued that severely desolated animals would act much like severely desolated people and find relief from their problems in addiction when given the opportunity. Thus Alexander created â€Å"Rat Park,† a complex nearly 200 times the size of one small cage, and filled it 20 rats both male and female along with all the necessary tools for healthy and bountifulShow MoreRelatedViolent Video Games And Violence1533 Words   |  7 Pages Recent mass shootings have made the public question the unclear motives of the people behind such destructive behaviour. Unfortunately, many individuals have jumped to rash conclusions regarding the causes of such events by linking violent video games with violence in the youth population. 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