Biological Theory Of Substance Abuse

Young people and teens are at high risk of substance abuse because these substances are easily accessible especially at parties and because doing drugs in high school is often seen as "cool." Social workers work to prevent teens and other clients from developing an addiction and in order to help these young people a social worker must understand the biology behind these substances as addictions are biological. For example, alcohol abuse is prevalent among this group as teens have access to it at parties and even in their own homes. I would tell a client to avoid alcohol because alcoholism can lead to depression and as well as other conditions caused by liver damage. Also, those who are dependent upon the substance can suffer from withdrawal …show more content…
The sex chromosome determines whether a zygote will be male or female. Females have XX sex chromosomes and males have XY chromosomes. One chromosome comes each comes from the gametes of the parents. Each egg has an X chromosome and “if the sperm contains a Y chromosome, the match with the female chromosome will be XY, and the child will be genetically male,” (Ginsberg, Nackerud & Larrison, 2004, p. 198). On the other hand if the chromosomes from each parent is XX the child will be female. Hormones also play a role in different sex characteristics as they are often the reason why men and women have different physical and emotional attributes. For example, the hormone testosterone in males helps create the growth of male reproductive organs, which comes from the Y chromosome. Females do not need the Y chromosome or testosterone to form female reproductive organs as all zygotes begin as females. Without that extra Y chromosome, ovaries do not form into testes. Furthermore, testosterone during puberty causes the development of facial hair and a deeper voice in men. The hormone estrogen in women during puberty brings the onset of an ovulation cycle and the development of breasts. Through sex chromosomes and hormones, the distinction between sex differences is …show more content…
In what ways do the concepts in Cowley’s article on the biology of aging fit your recollections of those people and how do they differ from those recollections. In Cowley’s article he wrote about items that are believed to extend the lifespan and help with aging such as a decreased caloric intake, manipulation of hormones, and infertility. The idea that caloric intake could affect the lifespan fits with my grandparents experience as they did not have the means to eat lavishly, yet they are both in their 90’s now. However, along with a decreased caloric intake, they have both taken great care of themselves by eating healthy, being active, not smoking and not drinking. I believe a combination of all of these things have led to their