Addictive Behavior and Evolutionary Adaptation: Mitigated through Genetic Addiction Risk Severity Early Identification and Awareness Integration Theory
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: Humans, with their unique genetic profile, exhibit a greater propensity to develop and maintain addiction compared to other animals. This paper offers a detailed examination of addiction, co-occurring traits, and psychologic disorders, focusing on neurobiological and molecular aspects. Furthermore, the authors investigate the potential of the Awareness Integration Theoretical model as an effective therapeutic addiction treatment. Methods: Using PsychINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the evolutionary and adaptation pathways to addiction, epigenetic factors, and the potentiality of Awareness Integration Theory in treating addiction. Results: Epigenetics allows environmental factors to create lasting and heritable phenotypic changes, enabling rapid adaptation to these stimuli. Addiction “high-jacks” this system and the neurochemical mechanisms that control flexibility and innovation and is, thus, the price we pay for adaptability. Drug addiction is thought of as an adjunctive behavior or a subordinate behavior catalyzed by more profound, more significant psychological and biological stimuli. Conclusions: The neurochemical mechanisms underlying addiction, a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, are intertwined with the hallmark features of the human species, such as behavioral flexibility and pre-addictive propensity. The dopaminergic system, a key player in addiction, serves as a crucial link between addiction and the shared genetic profile evident in co-occurring traits and psychiatric and psychological disorders. Furthermore, a hypofunctioning dopaminergic system is a common characteristic of addiction and co-occurring psychiatric and psychological disorders. Early childhood preventative measures are vital in re-directing the existing predictive and poor adaptability functioning, which refers to the individual's inability to adapt to changing circumstances and reliance on maladaptive coping strategies. Awareness Integration Theory’s approach encompasses a therapeutical model addressing individuals' physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains, allowing the individual to address intergenerational and ancestral ineffective and harmful adaptability. This, in turn, AIT will allow the human genome to be on a healthier path to recovery from obstacles such as addiction. When a tendency or a characteristic improves your ability to function and survive, and especially your ability to produce and raise children, that will most likely break the cycle of addiction and addictive behavior.
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Through structured self-exploration, clients learn to identify and integrate fragmented self-aspects, differentiate constructive from nonconstructive thoughts and schemas, and recognize and revise deep-seated beliefs.
“Through structured self-exploration, clients learn to Identify and integrate fragmented self-aspects for harmonious functioning, differentiate constructive from nonconstructive thoughts and schemas, and recognize and revise deep-seated beliefs, replacing harmful patterns with beneficial principles.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
For individuals struggling with substance abuse, AIT provides tools to move beyond the emotional void that addiction attempts to fill.
“For individuals struggling with substance abuse, AIT provides tools to move beyond the emotional void that addiction attempts to fill.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT's therapeutic stance offering unconditional acceptance alongside accountability helps individuals remain engaged in recovery even after relapse.
“AIT’s therapeutic stance offering unconditional acceptance alongside accountability helps individuals remain engaged in recovery even after relapse.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
Family therapy within the AIT model allows members to address enabling behaviors, set healthy boundaries, and understand their influence on the addicted individual.
“Family therapy within the AIT model allows members to address enabling behaviors, set healthy boundaries, and understand their influence on the addicted individual.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
Sustainable recovery requires addressing unresolved emotional distress.
“While the initial motivation for change may stem from avoiding the pain of consequences or seeking more meaningful experiences, sustainable recovery requires addressing unresolved emotional distress.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
Living with a person in addiction can cause family frustration, exhaustion, and conflict.
“Living with a person in addiction can cause family frustration, exhaustion, and conflict.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT was developed through integration of CBT, Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, EFT, MBT, EMDR, Hypnosis, and Mindfulness.
“Developed through the integration of diverse therapeutic modalities—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mind-Body Therapy (MBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Hypnosis, and Mindfulness, AIT offers a flexible and holistic method to address the full spectrum of the human experience,”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT guides individuals to examine how their perceptions shape interactions, choices, and behaviors, engaging both conscious and subconscious processes.
“The approach guides individuals to examine how their perceptions shape interactions, choices, and behaviors, engaging both conscious and subconscious processes.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT is an effective and versatile psychotherapeutic approach for prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention in various psychological conditions, including those underlying addiction, and clinical research demonstrates its substantial effectiveness.
“This paper proposes Awareness Integration Therapy (AIT) as an effective and versatile psychotherapeutic approach for prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention in various psychological conditions, including those underlying addiction.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
This synthesis maximizes therapeutic outcomes, enabling lasting and transformative change.
“This synthesis maximizes therapeutic outcomes, enabling lasting and transformative change.95”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT works by reconciling fragmented aspects of the self arising from psychological trauma and fostering awareness from past experiences to the present.
“Awareness Integration Therapy works by reconciling fragmented aspects of the self arising from psychological trauma and fostering awareness from past experiences through to the present.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT is an evidence-based, multidimensional, comprehensive, integrative, and empirically supported method for addressing psychological distress and addiction.
“AIT is an evidence-based, multidimensional framework designed to enhance self-awareness, resolve past traumas, dismantle psychological barriers, and foster clarity and positive mindsets.”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT extends to multiple life domains-relationships, family dynamics, career, finances, and spirituality-resulting in broad personal and interpersonal transformation.
“This process extends to multiple life domains relationships, family dynamics, career, finances, and spirituality resulting in broad personal and interpersonal transformation.95”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
AIT helps clients confront and process inner pain, dismantle maladaptive coping mechanisms, and develop resilience.
“AIT helps clients confront and process inner pain, dismantle maladaptive coping mechanisms, and develop resilience.95”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
Shared responsibility fosters a supportive environment conducive to long-term recovery.
“This shared responsibility fosters a supportive environment conducive to long-term recovery.95”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
Between 2000 and 2021, global prevalence of alcohol use disorder, alcohol-associated liver disease, and alcohol-attributable liver cancer rose significantly, with especially sharp increases in women between 2019-2021.
“Between 2000 and 2021, global prevalence of alcohol use disorder, alcohol-associated liver disease, and alcohol-attributable liver cancer rose significantly, with especially sharp increases in women between 2019–2021.95”
From Beyond Stigma–Integrating Neurobiology, Genetics, and Awareness Integration Theory in Addiction Recovery (2026) · cites this paper as [95]
The Genetic Factors section discusses susceptibility to alcohol use disorder, and Reward Gene Variations in Human Social Networks discusses drinking behavior. Neither reports global prevalence trends for 2000–2021, alcohol-associated liver disease or liver cancer, or increases among women in 2019–2021. Searches for those conditions and dates found no relevant passage in our copy; page numbers were not available. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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Blum, K., Gold, M., Jafari, N., Lewandrowski, K.-U., Sharafshah, A., Mohankumar, K., Lorio, M., Bowirrat, A., Pinhasov, A., Thanos, K., et al. (2026) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s561157 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Zeine, F., Jafari, N., Manoukian, E., & Blum, K.
- Affiliations
- California State University, Long Beach (US)
- The Chicago School (US)
- GemEducare, Tarzana, CA. 91356, USA
- Eötvös Loránd University (HU)
- Venue
- Medical Research Archives
- Publisher
- Knowledge Enterprise Journals
- Published
- 2024-08-30
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 8
- ISSN
- 2375-1916 (ISSN-L)
- 2375-1924
- PMC
- PMC11600381
- OpenAlex
- W4402130040
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 0.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- dx.doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Medical Research Archives (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (I01 CX002099)
- National Institutes of Health (DA045640)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R33DA045640, R21DA045640)
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R41MD012318)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Keywords
- addiction, adaptive evolution, epigenetics, dopaminergic system, genetic predisposition to addiction, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, behavioral flexibility, early childhood prevention, maladaptive coping, addiction treatment, intergenerational adaptation
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