Teen Drug Addiction Help

Is drug addiction hereditary? There is quite a bit of evidence to support the idea that drug addiction can be a hereditary and genetically inherited addiction. Those with other family members that struggle with drug addiction are going to be more susceptible to being addicted to drugs if they ever begin abusing drugs.

Is drug addiction hereditary? Based on research and reports surrounding drug addiction and genetics, the conclusion is to this connection is a solid confirmation in the link. Addiction of all kinds is typically a combination of many factors resulting in an extremely complicated disease. The science and research covering drug addiction has found a conclusive link between biology to family to environment when it comes to those who are the most likely to struggle with drug addiction. Biology and genetics might also contribute to the pressure some feel that turns them toward drug abuse tendencies that leads into drug addiction later on. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between drug addiction and genetics.

Genetics and Drug Addiction:

While there is a strong link between drug addiction being hereditary, that does not mean that just because you have drug addicts in your family, that you are automatically condemned into becoming a drug addict one day from the moment you are born. Fortunately there are other factors that contribute into a person's likelihood of one day becoming addicted to drugs instead of there just being a single "addiction gene". However, there are genes that indicate a person's susceptibility to developing a drug addiction. Fortunately since scientists are more and more able to isolate these genes and research them. Treatment for drug addiction in individuals that are more likely to develop a drug addiction can be designed to be specific for those individuals based on their genetic structure and susceptibility. Those with addiction genetics are more likely to feel steered toward trying drugs in the first place as a way to get high or find a drug to help them cope with life. It may also make it more likely for them to become addicted to the drug more quickly by building up a stronger tolerance faster. The individual then will struggle to get off the drugs more than someone that doesn't have addiction as a genetic trait. However, just because their genetic makeup is less than ideal, it doesn't mean that they will for sure end up as a drug addict or someone that struggles with addiction. Environment is another factor that plays just as big, if not bigger, of a role in a person's likelihood to become a drug addict. 

Researchers use pedigree data and information while studying a person's genetics to isolate the addiction genes and determine how they work and the problems them may create for the individual. The researchers will begin through a DNA comparison of DNA sequences of individuals with drug addiction in comparison to those who don't have problems with addiction. This helps them narrow down the possibilities of the candidate genes for addiction so they can determine what sets these genes off to become the problem that they are in people with drug addiction and other addiction tendencies. 

If you or someone you know has family members or ancestors that struggle or struggled with drug addiction, or other kinds of addiction, it is important to recognize that it is likely their genetics have passed on to you, which might make it more likely for you to have struggles with addiction if you are ever feeling tempted to try drugs. If you do have this hereditary connection to drug abuse, stay far away of drugs, tobacco, alcohol and other addictive substances that might trigger your "addiction genes" and cause life-long problems and struggles with addiction.  If you are already past the point of prevention, or if you know someone that struggles with drug addiction, make sure and get the help you/they need to properly quit doing drugs using therapy and treatment that is designed for individuals that struggle with hereditary addiction problems.

Sources: learn.genetics.utah.edu