Biopsych Case Study PDF

BIOPSYCH CASE STUDY PRESENTATION GROUP 5  CONTENT 01 INTRODUCTION 02 DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS 03 CASE STUDY OF SARAH 04 ANALYSIS OF SARAH’S CASE 05 REFERENCE LIST 06 CLOSING / GROUP MEMBERS INTRODUCTION Addiction is a complex behavior influenced by...

BIOPSYCH CASE STUDY PRESENTATION GROUP 5  CONTENT 01 INTRODUCTION 02 DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS 03 CASE STUDY OF SARAH 04 ANALYSIS OF SARAH’S CASE 05 REFERENCE LIST 06 CLOSING / GROUP MEMBERS INTRODUCTION Addiction is a complex behavior influenced by various biological factors, including brain structures, genetic predispositions, evolutionary influences, and the social functions it may serve. This case study explores addiction using different biological explanations: physiological, ontogenetic, evolutionary, and functional. By examining addiction through these lenses, we can better understand the underlying mechanisms that make some individuals more vulnerable to developing addictive behaviors.  DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS Physiological Ontogenetic Evolutionary Functional Relates to the activity Influences the genes, nutrion, Reconstruct the Describes why a of the brain and other experience and their evolutionary history of structure or behavior organs interaction. Describe the a structure or behavior. evolved as it did. structure or behavior develops CASE STUDY OF SARAH Sarah is a 32-year-old woman who has struggled with substance abuse for over a decade. She initially began drinking casually in her early twenties but gradually developed a dependency on alcohol and, later, prescription opioids. Despite several attempts to quit, Sarah finds herself relapsing repeatedly. Her family and friends are concerned, as her addiction is taking a toll on her health, finances, and relationships. Through an assessment with a team of healthcare professionals, several biological explanations for her addiction were explored. PHYSIOLOGICAL Drug addiction alters the brain's neurotransmitter functions, particularly dopamine and glutamate, disrupting mood, motivation, and cognition. In Sarah's case, prolonged alcohol and opioid use overstimulated her brain's reward system, creating a tolerance that required higher substance consumption for the same effect. These changes impair the prefrontal cortex, which is essential for impulse control and decision-making, perpetuating her inability to manage cravings or behavior, even when facing adverse consequences. KEY POINTS: Neurotransmitter Disruption: Drugs alter how neurons send, receive, Addiction Cycle: and process signals. Sarah’s addiction is fueled by tolerance, cravings, and impaired self-control. Prefrontal Cortex Impairment: Impulse control and decision-making abilities are weakened. ONTOGENETIC Sarah's addiction may stem from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Her family upbringing, early exposure to alcohol, and peer pressure likely shaped her risk for substance use. Factors such as poor family guidance, exposure to irresponsible behaviors, and environmental challenges during adolescence—a critical developmental period—contributed to her progression from casual drinking in her twenties to dependency. KEY POINTS: Genetic Vulnerability: Sarah may have inherited a Combined Factors: predisposition to addictive behaviors. Both her biological traits and life experiences contributed to her progression from casual drinking to addiction. Environmental Influences: Her early life experiences and exposure to poor drinking habits in her family and social circle increased her risk. EVOLUTIONARY Psychotropic plants have been used throughout human history, starting with early hominids and continuing across various ancient civilizations. These plants were historically used for survival purposes, such as enhancing fitness for hunting or foraging, but their potency was much lower than modern drugs. Unlike ancient psychotropic plants, today's highly potent drugs exceed the capacity of the human body's evolutionary adaptations, making humans more susceptible to addiction. KEY POINTS: Historical Use of Psychotropic Plants: Early humans and ancient civilizations used psychotropic plants primarily for survival Modern Vulnerability to Addiction: purposes, such as aiding hunting or foraging. Human bodies, evolved for low-potency substances, are not adapted to the high potency of modern drugs, increasing susceptibility to addiction. Low Potency of Ancient Plants: The natural potency of these plants was much lower than that of modern addictive drugs. FUNCTIONAL The functional explanation for addiction suggests that substance use often serves as a coping mechanism for difficult emotions, social pressures, or personal challenges, despite its harmful long-term effects. For Sarah, her addiction likely stemmed from early adulthood stress, peer influence, and a need for self-medication. While substances provided temporary relief, they perpetuated dependence and hindered addressing her underlying struggles. KEY POINTS: Coping Mechanism: Addiction often arises as a way to manage Cycle of Dependence: stress, anxiety, or emotional pain, with substances providing temporary relief. While substances may offer short-term escape, they create long-term dependency, preventing individuals from resolving underlying issues. Peer and Social Influence: Social pressures and curiosity, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood, contribute to substance experimentation and abuse.  REFERENCES Canales, J. J. (2016). Addiction. Adult Neurogenesis in the Gutman, S. (2006). Why addiction has a chronic, Hippocampus, 229–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0- relapsing course: The neurobiology of addiction. 12-801977-1.00010-6 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 22(2), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1300/J004v22n02_01 Drug misuse and addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse. 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