This program is brought to you by Emory University. >> Today, we begin the very important topic of vulnerability. And this lecture will include an overview of things we'll discuss in more detail in later lectures. Vulnerability addresses the question of, will I become an addict, or will you become an addict? Let's revisit this image from week one. the image shows the same person before and after becoming involved with methamphetamine. Becoming involved with drugs, as you know, is a very serious and often deadly proposition. If it can be prevented, it must be. Thus, the study of vulnerability is very important. If we compare large groups of drug users with large groups of non-users, we see differences. The differences associated with taking drugs are called risk factors or vulnerability factors. These are the factors that appear to make you vulnerable to drug use. We don't have a complete understanding of vulnerability. We can't write an equation for and, and precisely determine if you will or will not become an addict. Vulnerability and risk are tendencies and nothing more. Fortunately, there are also protective factors, that we can uncover by, comparing drug users with non-users. Now why do we care? Why do we want to identify risk factors and what makes people vulnerable? Well the obvious answer is that we want to protect ourselves and each other. If individuals are at risk, they can assess if they need to be proactive and self protective. We can warn and help friends who are in danger. And we can also try and compensate for risk factors. In addition, prevention resources can be directed at the most vulnerable populations to be most effective. So there are many reasons to identify the risk factors that we face. What are these vulnerability or risk factors? An important one is our biology. Do members of a family take drugs? Are there inherited factors? We will discuss heritability, but let me say in advance that inherited risk is not fully determining. If your parents were drug addicts, it does not mean for certain that you will become and addict. It seems that genetics have about a 50% influence on the process of addiction. This knowledge comes from detailed studies of genetics and drug abuse. The personality and overall health of the person can contribute to vulnerability. It's known that, co-morbid or coexisting health problem often occur at the same time as drug addiction and they likely influence drug taking. Risk taking and impulsive behavior are personality traits that are also risk factors. Finally, the environment plays a very major role. Are drugs available? Is there peer pressure or stress? And all of these can be somewhat interrelated. Let's consider some important and well appreciated risk factors. There's genetic predisposition. Personality traits and temperament. The age at first exposure to drugs. Co-existing health problems. Attempts at self-medication. And impaired judgment, which can be caused by the drugs themselves. All of these will be discussed. What about environmental risk factors? Well, the availability of drugs is a big one. If drugs weren't available there wouldn't be any drug addiction. And let's not forget stress, stress is an extremely important risk factor. Social status can affect drug taking, particularly when it involves stress. Peer pressure in an adolescent population can be a very big, strong risk factor. And drug awareness, even advertising for legal drugs can be a risk factor. What about the other side of the coin? What about protective factors? All of the following seemed to be involved with lower drug use. These are self control. Academic competence. Antidrug information in school. Strong neighborhood attachments. Actively compensating for risk factorssome genetics can be protective. Parents' attitudes and the kind of home they provide can be protective. And animal studies have shown us that enriched environments can be protective as well. In the home, enforcement of limits and discipline, forming strong bonds with children, and monitoring children seem to help. It's comforting to know that we can take active steps to reduce risk. Overall, all of these factors will say a lot about who can potentially become an addict.
