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3. Why is it so difficult for someone with an addiction to just simply decide not to partake in the addiction (see Inside Addiction video)?   

In the video, the woman states there are essentially two competing brain systems in the final decision whether to use or not to use a substance. Activity in important areas of the brain that are critical in decision making is very low in addicts, which helps explain why it is difficult for an addict to simply decide not to partake in the addiction.  

4. According to the Valenzuela (1997) article, alcohol is a depressant by decreasing inhibitory neurotransmitters. a. Identify 1 inhibitory neurotransmitters and 1 excitatory neurotransmitter according to the article. Explain the function of each neurotransmitter. 

According to the article, the brains main inhibitory neurotransmitter is the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA acts through the receptor subtype GABAA, and leads to a state of sedation and anxiety.

The amino acid aspartate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Acting through both NMDA receptors, intoxicating concentrations of alcohol inhibit NMDA and non-NMDA receptor activity, which results in sedation.

5. Even though Billy has been sober for 10 years, he still calls himself an alcoholic. Why do you think this is so (see Reinforcement and Addiction section in Valenzuela, 1997 article)?

As the article states, reinforcement is significant to the development of addiction to alcohol. Prior to Billy becoming sober, drinking alcohol created feelings of pleasure, which positively reinforced this behavior and therefore the behavior became repetitive. Due to the effect alcohol consumption has on the brain, the discomfort and craving Billy continues to feel because of the absence of alcohol in his life has caused him to refer to himself as an alcoholic

1. Is calling alcohol addiction an illness/disease appropriate? Should alcohol addiction be called a bad habit? Is alcohol addiction as an illness comparable to lung cancer as an illness. Explain (see DSM-5).

· I think calling alcohol addiction a disease is appropriate because it has a huge impact on the brain and a person’s functioning. I can see how some may want to call it a habit and then it ends up turning into an addiction. For example, it might be a habit to have a glass of wine after dinner to unwind but then over time it may turn into a full on addiction if the person starts drinking an entire bottle of wine a night to unwind. In my opinion, addiction is a disease but I think the perception of addiction as a disease is different than someone who is diagnosed with cancer, or a sickness that may be caused by bacteria or something like that. I think a lot of people may not want to consider it a disease because a person is making the choice to drink and it’s not something that you can just “catch” or contract. I also think it is important to consider individual differences that may influence addiction such as brain chemistry, personality, and other comorbid disorders such as depression/anxiety.

2. According to Sanja Gupta (CNN video), addictions alter the brain. Explain the difference between an individual that has been using alcohol for a long period of time and someone that hasn’t (i.e., euphoria).

· When someone takes a drug, drinks alcohol, eats sugar etc. dopamine is released and that makes a person feel good and euphoric. So the first time a person uses it, the brain lights up and all this dopamine is being released, but over time a drug user’s tolerance increases and it requires more and more of that drug to get that same euphoria as before.

3. Why is it so difficult for someone with an addiction to just simply decide not to partake in the addiction (see Inside Addiction video)?   

· According to the video, when a person uses a substance it impacts the parts of the brain that are related to impulse control, and decision making. When the video shows the pictures of the brain of a non user, the brain at rest is still showing a lot of activity. A person who’s briain was exposed to cocaine, however, the brain has less activity in that area. Because this part of the brain is inhibited, a person is more likely to just satisfy that impulse and desire for the substance more than a person who has not been using substances.

4. According to the Valenzuela (1997) article, alcohol is a depressant by decreasing inhibitory neurotransmitters. a. Identify 1 inhibitory neurotransmitters and 1 excitatory neurotransmitter according to the article. Explain the function of each neurotransmitter. 

· GABA: is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter that leads to a state of sedation and decreased anxiety. According to the article, some studies suggest that short-term alcohol exposure increases the inhibitory effect of GABA receptors. I suspect that since alcohol releases GABA, a person is more likely to use that alcohol as a way to feel more relaxed in certain situations.

· Glutamate is a common excitatory neurotransmitter.  According to the article alcohol can induce sedative effects by reducing excitatory neurotransmission.

 5. Even though Billy has been sober for 10 years, he still calls himself an alcoholic. Why do you think this is so (see Reinforcement and Addiction section in Valenzuela, 1997 article)?

· Billy will always be an alcoholic because the temptation will always be there. It is a constant battle for Billy because if he gives the brain alcohol, he will be rewarded with that euphoric feeling it brings to the brain (PR). Billy may experience cravings, or withdrawal symptoms when he removes alcohol from his life and that is the brain’s way of negative reinforcement for not using the alcohol.