Neuroscience and Addiction

Addiction is an issue virtually every society encounters. Clearly, addictive drugs are here to stay, and with the surplus of prescription pills in America, it’s safe to say their numbers are increasing. A recent article by Jeneen Interlandi from the Newsweek Education site provides a detailed work on possible combats to addiction.

According to the article, geneticists have discovered the first gene variants linked to a predisposition to addiction. This is helpful in explaining why only 10% of those who try an addictive drug become addicted. Neuroscientists are trying to incorporate other neural networks; such as taste, sight, and thought, to better determine where trigger areas are located. The study notes of other developments, including vaccines that “trains” the immune system to “block intoxicating effects of drugs.” Another is essentially “willpower-in-a-pill,” stopping addiction impulses.

The article mentions the option of vaccinating “high-risk” teens until their decision-making regions of the brain are fully developed. This clearly raises the a human rights issue on addition to the fact there is no procedure for determining who is “high-risk.” Nonetheless, these developments are a beacon of hope for the many suffering from addiction. But where can we draw the line between personal responsibility and neurological predisposition with these possible advancements?