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Medically Reviewed

Is Addiction Hereditary? The Genetics Behind Substance Use Disorder

- 5 sections

Medically Verified: October 12, 2024

Medical Reviewer:

Sahil Talwar, PA-C, MBA

medically-verified

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Does your mom or dad suffer from addiction? Maybe you’ve noticed that a lot of people in your family have a propensity for substance abuse. If so, you have probably wondered whether addiction is genetic.

Many factors play a role in the development of addiction, but your genes definitely share some of the blame. You could have a genetic predisposition to addiction. However, this does not necessarily mean you will develop a substance use disorder (SUD).

Most people who develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol have multiple underlying factors. For example, the genetic predisposition just means you have the potential for substance abuse. You probably will not develop it without additional factors like underlying mental health conditions, exposure to drugs and alcohol at an early age, or traumatic experiences.

If you have a genetic predisposition to addiction, that means you need to be careful with drugs and alcohol. It might be a good idea to avoid substance abuse altogether. If you believe you are struggling with a substance use disorder, you should seek help from a drug rehab program.

What you will learn:

  • Whether substance use disorder is hereditary
  • What genes are associated with addiction
  • What factors contribute to the development of a substance use disorder

Is Addiction Genetic?

Unfortunately, addiction can be genetic. There are tons of genes that you can inherit from your immediate family that increase your risk of developing an addiction. Research shows that 50 to 70% of your risk of developing an addiction is related to your genes.[1]

It is easy to tell that addiction is genetic by looking at certain families. There are tons of families where multiple generations suffer from substance abuse issues. It could be passed from parent to child, or sometimes it skips a generation and is passed from grandparent to grandchild.

If you have a family history of addiction, it is best to avoid drug and alcohol use altogether. Sometimes, when genetics are paired with early exposure to substances, that is enough to begin the cycle of addiction.

However, addiction is not always hereditary. It is possible to be the first person in your family to develop a substance use disorder. Sometimes, the main factors that contribute to addiction are environmental or mental health-related.

What are the “Addiction Genes”?

Because addiction is genetic, there are specific genes that indicate a high risk of substance abuse. Knowing the multiple genes associated with substance use disorders can strengthen your understanding of how addiction is hereditary.

The main genes associated with a higher risk of substance abuse include:[2]

  • ADH1B and ALDH2 – These genes might make you less likely to develop alcohol use disorder. They are associated with causing uncomfortable experiences when alcohol is consumed.
  • CHRNA2 – Even low levels of this gene expression can contribute to a higher likelihood of cannabis use disorder or marijuana addiction.
  • CUL3, PDE4B, and PTGER3 – These three genes are associated with nicotine and alcohol abuse.
  • GABRA2 and CHRM2 – These genes have been linked to alcohol use disorder through tons of research and studies on gene expressions.
  • MAOA, SLC6A4, and COMT – These genes and related gene expressions are associated with a specific type of stress response. Having them increases your likelihood of developing alcohol or drug addiction to cope with anxiety or stress.

It is important to note that genes alone will not cause addiction. A combination of genetic and environmental factors must be present for a substance use disorder to develop. For example, if you have a genetic predisposition and then experience trauma in your environment, you are more likely to suffer from addiction.

What Other Factors Play a Role in Developing Addiction?

As mentioned, genes alone will not cause addiction. The other factors that play a role in the development of a substance use disorder include:[3]

  • Adverse Early Life Experiences – experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect as a child or young adult is associated with a higher risk of abusing drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
  • Family Factors – poor role modeling, witnessing parental substance abuse, and a lack of emotional support from your caregivers can contribute to high levels of addiction risk.
  • Environmental Factors – living in an area that experiences high crime, poverty, easy access to substances, or unemployment plays a role in a person’s risk of addiction.
  • Learned Behaviors – watching your family members use drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or uncomfortable feelings can make you more likely to engage in that type of behavior as you get older.
  • Underlying Mental Health Conditions – the presence of underlying mental illness increases your risk of developing a substance use disorder to self-medicate your symptoms.

If you believe that you are struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, you should seek help from an addiction treatment center. Signs of addiction include being unable to control how much of a substance you use, experiencing urges or cravings, and dealing with withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a drug.

Find Help for Alcohol and Drug Abuse

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, it’s time to seek help. The first step in recovery from a substance use disorder is medical detox. At Charlotte Detox Center, we can help you overcome withdrawal and increase your chances of long-term sobriety.

Contact us today for more information on how we can help you recover from addiction.

References:

  1. Rutgers: Rutgers Researchers Delve Deep Into the Genetics of Addiction
  2. Spandidos Publications: Understanding the genetics and neurobiological pathways behind addiction
  3. Research Gate: Family, Individual, and Other Risk Factors Contributing to Risk of Substance Abuse in Young Adults: A Narrative Review

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