Wednesday, February 23, 2011

.: The Addiction Gene



When someone hears the word addiction, most people refer the word to how frequent one indulges in their addiction.  There are many forms of addiction such as drugs, sex, or the internet. People do not realize that they can be addicted even if it's not a constant occurrence.  The true definition of addiction is a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences.

The idea that boggles me is the fact that certain people are more predisposed to addiction if they have the addiction gene running through their family.  I'm a big fan of Loveline, a national radio show where people call in to seek help and advice, and every addict who calls in reveals that their family members are struggling the same issues.  Now I'm not just basing the addiction gene theory just from the radio show, because it has been scientifically proven that the gene exists from respectable scientists.

In my personal life, I feel the effect of the gene running through my bloodline.  My family is known to have an addictive past and I have struggled through some addictions where it has resulted in major consequences in my life.  Having the addiction gene does not mean you will become an addict regardless of what you do, but if your family history shows an addictive past, I would advise you to be cautious.

To anyone who is facing difficulties with their addiction issues, don't lose hope.  A friend of mine had been addicted to cigarettes and weed since he was 9 and has finally overcome his addiction through dedication and weaning it off slowly. Acknowledge the problem before its too late and don't be scared to ask for support from your loved ones.

65 comments:

  1. genes and genes and genes we are a fucking computer

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  2. We really are a computer in a way. Chemicals.

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  3. Addictions could be drugs, sex, alcohol, religion, anything. I was addicted to video games a few years back. It cost me a lot of dear things. Everything, even good things, need to be in moderation.

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  4. We need addiction to be good at things in life, sometimes there bad addictions sometimes there good.

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  5. Love that youre in depth with this, will be reading from now on!

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  6. I miss loveline. Ashlynn Brooke was just on there too. :(

    Like anything, moderation is key.

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  7. I wish the human could block certain brain functions at will!

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  8. Great post. Definitely being aware of addiction helps to fight the pull of the addiction gene, or so I've experienced.

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  9. I think that addiction is just a psychological thing. Our upbringing is way makes us susceptible to stop. Like if you always get what you want on a superficial level, the lower levels of your psyche is also weak to being controlled.

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  10. Im with HillDog, Ive done many things for extended periods of time that are considered "highly addictive" and even after extended use (years+) I could stop on a whim and go just as long without it.

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  11. Addiction is a scary thing. glad your friend was strong enough to break from it.

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  12. Addiction is a very abstract thing. People can be addicted to almost anything. Thank you for this post, it is very informative.

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  13. I definitely have this gene. Thanks for the info!

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  14. I'd say I definitely don't have the gene. I have absolutely no trouble quitting anything that a lot of people consider habit forming. I'd say because of it I have a harder stance towards people that blame an addiction for something because I don't know what it's like myself

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  15. I don't know if I have this gene, because I do love to indulge but go long stretches of doing nothing but studying and working. Who knows? Thank you for the information though, it was very thoughtfully written...

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  16. Interesting post, I was unaware there was such a thing as an addiction gene. You just need to remember most things are great in moderation, but almost everything is bad in over indulgence.

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  17. Some people get all the luck it seems and not have addiction run in the family.

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  18. Really interesting stuff, good post

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  19. Looks like we all have it and can't really control it.

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  20. I have friends who have addictions. I also watch A&E intervention. What I see on that show is pretty scary.

    Cool blog, I will follow you =)

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  21. I have a friend with a meth addiction. I'm addicted to TV and video games.

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  22. I overcame an online game addiction after seeing what it did to my friend.

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  23. wait, addicted to week since 9? that is insane!

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  24. now that you say it, ive never tho it like that, i normally act like a normal mindcloses person and go instantly to bad addictions

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  25. Quit smoking cigarettes like fourteen months ago.

    Next on my list? Drinking. :)

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  26. I've got the gene too and I think knowing about it is the first step to defeating it. I've watched myself like a hawk to make sure I don't become to comfortable in my indulgences (whatever they might be). I've been good so far!!!

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  27. Very nice blog. Most people don't know how closely genes are related to addiction.

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  28. Im happy I dont have that gene

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  29. People with addictions should ask for help. It can be tough though.

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  30. That's really interesting. I think in this day and age, anything really can become addicting.

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  31. The wonders of biochemistry and the fraction of things we think we know. :)

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  32. addiction can be a good thing though, just depends on the persons disipline

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  33. everything can be addictive ... even sport

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  34. I am fairly sure that I am addicted to caffeine and sex.

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  35. I find myself with some addictive tendencies sometimes, but I don't think I would ever get so bad that I'd need professional help. I've never heard of an 'addiction gene' before. Really interesting.

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  36. Yep, addiction gene is hereditary, too.

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  37. Anything can be addictive...which leads me to believe there is a strong psychological addiction, not just physical.

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  38. My father is addicted to cigarettes and loves alcohol (not an alcoholic in the sense that it's really damaging) and the same applies to me. I'm struggling to quit smoking and I love alcohol. Now that I think about it, we also both like pretty women, but that goes for all mankind I guess.

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  39. Alcohol and tobacco are more serious concerns,because the addiction isn`t only psychological,but also physiological.
    Quitting WoW can be hard,but quitting smoking can be a real bitch.

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  40. Addiction is a scary thing.

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  41. Im a bit sceptical about this theory, or whatever it is, coz it's all up to you if you become an addict, because, there wasn't an addict gene all the time, it had to get started somewhere...

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  42. I'm addicted to sex, smoking, gaming, the internet, sugar, alcohol and lazyness. No hard drugs though thankfully.

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  43. I've seen a lot of people die from their addictions over the years...

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  44. I think I'm addicted to the computer/internet. Can't get off the damn thing half the time!

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  45. Interesting post, added you to my morning coffee. Thanks for the great post!

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  46. Addiction is so cruel and hard to overcome. I applaud anyone who can admit a problem and give up/regulate what the addiction is.

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  47. Interesting blog. Addictions are a terrible thing, you start to lose everything else to them..
    Hmm keep it up (the blog), I'll be following

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  48. It's really hard for me to get addicted to anything

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  49. I have addictions but i think i am fairly in control still. Love though.. try and beat that addiction

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  50. I think we can't entirely blame genes for addiction. Environment plays an amazingly significant role in determining probability for addictive personalities. For example, a person who grows up in a broken abusive family would be more prone to drug use just because of the trauma he/she incurred via the environment.

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  51. i'm addicted to cigarettes... i wish i never smoked my first one.

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