Addiction: Is it Genetic?

• What makes one person become addicted  to drugs and alcohol and another person doesn’t?
• Does genetics have a lot to do with addiction?
• Is environment more important than genetics?

There are many factors that influence the development of an addiction. There are complex risk factors at play for each person. Genetics are a big deal, but the risk is more than just our biology. This episode focuses on what increases the risk of developing an addiction. 

In this Podcast 

• Genetics account for at least half (50%) if not more of the risk in developing an addiction
• The closer a person is related to addicted relatives the greater the risk
• There isn’t one single gene responsible for addiction. Instead, its a combination of multiple gene variances
• Environment is more active as a risk factor in adolescence and later in early adulthood on up, genetics are more active in terms of risk.
• Mental health issues contribute to the risk of addiction.
• Environment (using peer group, parental/familial attitudes about substance use) do have an impact on risk.