How can addiction be genetic

Even then, human to human, our genetic codes differentiate who we are from the next person, however, sometimes they carry risk factors to our descendants. In basic terms, every nucleus-containing cell is home to certain genes that are replicas of every other gene within the same body, each of which carry these specific DNA codes.

In terms of inheritance, these genes are what are passed parent to offspring, thus passing on certain genetic trends or weaknesses, such as addiction.

When a gene creates a specific change, such as hair or eye color, it is due to certain variations. These variations are passed directly from your parents, as you receive 23 chromosomes from each parent, a total of 46, when you are conceived. It is these genetic variations that are responsible for the likelihood that certain changes will occur. In the case of addiction, it is not a singular variation that is responsible, rather it is more complex, and scientists believe there are several.

So, while it is true that certain genetic variations may occur that can enhance your predisposition to certain types of addiction, they do not ensure a percent chance that these addictions will actually arise. Just because a person has a genetic predisposition does not mean that they will develop addiction, or even patterns of abuse. It simply means that their risk factor is higher and that they should be extra careful in developing both a greater awareness and protective factors within their life.

This is important to keep close to heart if you feel that you may have a genetic risk factor. Along with genetics, there are other risk factors, psychological, cultural or environmental. But I suspect the cigarette is what you go for when you are under stress.

Forgive me if I am wrong. You may be grateful that you did not acquire the genetic predisposition noted in the article; tmany other have. Nancy, the concept that only the choices you make does not necessarily apply in his case.

You can decide to not do opium in any case, but people do opium anyway. As such research along these lines could help find a way to reverse said changes could be great for the medical field and rehab.

Last I heard smoking cigarettes indicates an addiction to nicotine one of the most additive substances in the entire world which is responsible for aprox , deaths a year.

Smoking IS an addiction and coping mechanism. It acts on the brain in the same way opioids do. It was my drug of choice for 25 years. Now 30 years clean. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

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A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Can vaping help you quit smoking? Harvard Health Blog Your genes and addiction. For example, when a person uses cocaine, it can mark the DNA, increasing the production of proteins common in addiction.

Increased levels of these altered proteins correspond with drug-seeking behaviors in animals. Histones , as another example, are like protein spools that provide an organizational structure for genes. Genes coil around histones, tightening or loosening to control gene expression. Drug exposure can affect specific histones, modifying gene expression in localized brain regions.

The development of multidimensional data sets that include and integrate genetic and epigenetic information provide unique insights into the molecular genetic processes underlying the causes and consequences of drug addiction.

Studying and using these data types to identify biological factors involved in substance misuse is increasingly important because technologic advances have improved the ability of researchers to single out individual genes or brain processes that may inform new prevention and treatment interventions.

An international group of over scientists used a comprehensive database to collect information on smoking and alcohol use behaviors. They measured behaviors such as age when smoking was initiated, age when smoking cessation occurred, number of cigarettes per day, and drinks per week. The scientists then cross-checked those findings with life events like years of education ; physical characteristics like heart rate or cholesterol level ; and diseases suffered such as mental illnesses, or Type 2 diabetes.

The investigators correlated those results with specific genes suspected in various types of substance use. They found 12 that there were over locations in the genome and at least variants within these locations that influence smoking or alcohol use, bringing science closer to identifying clusters of genes that could play a part in addiction.

The study even identified new genes and functions not expected to be important in addiction. Clinicians often find substantial variability in how individual patients respond to treatment.

Part of that variability is due to genetics. Learning more about the genetic, epigenetic, and neurobiological bases of addiction will eventually advance the science of addiction. Scientists will be able to translate this knowledge into new treatments directed at specific targets in the brain or to treatment approaches—called pharmacogenomics. This emerging science promises to harness the power of genomic information to improve treatments for addiction by tailoring the treatment to the person's specific genetic makeup.

This is called precision medicine. Approximately 8, individuals were studied, representing 1, sets of identical twins and 1, sets of fraternal twins. The study concluded that 10 percent of the entire study population experienced an addiction to at least one illicit substance, a rate only slightly higher than the national average, with nearly double the incidence of drug addiction shared among twin pairs in the identical twin group.

Since identical twins come from a single fertilized egg versus two fertilized eggs as is the case with fraternal twins , they are genetically identical. The higher incidence of drug addiction among these pairs of twins suggests a strong genetic component to addiction. More recently, scientists have begun to compare DNA of family members who abuse drugs or alcohol with those family members who do not, with the hope of isolating which genetic variations lead to an increase in addictive behaviors.

For example, someone with no serotonin receptor gene Htr1b is at greater risk of addiction to alcohol or cocaine. And those who refrain from smoking because they claim it makes them feel sick or dizzy, are more likely to carry an alternate form of the YP2A6 gene, which generates those ill-side effects. These genetic traits are passed down with some variation, making heredity, as with other chronic illnesses, a key factor in drug addiction among families. We can help you overcome addiction and get your life back.

Brain chemistry-more specifically the reward centers of the brain-plays a pivotal role in the development of substance dependency.