Many people who have suffered from addiction will likely question whether drug and alcohol addiction are hereditary. An understandable concern for anyone interested in ending addiction.

1. Is Drug and Alcohol
Addiction Hereditary?
by Amy Rothermel

2. Many people who have suffered from addiction will
likely question whether drug and alcohol addiction
are hereditary. An understandable concern for
anyone interested in ending addiction.
Scientists have done a lot of research on addiction
and genetics. Read on to learn about the results
they have found.

3. Family History of Drug and
Alcohol Addiction
There is a strong relationship between a family
history of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
Researchers found that if a child has a parent with
a drug or alcohol addiction, they are 8 times more
likely to develop an addiction than those without a
parent suffering from addiction.

4. Still, that does not answer the question of whether
or not addiction is hereditary.
Addiction risk comes from a combination of genetic
and environmental factors.
To answer the hereditary question, scientists had
to dig further into genetic research.

5. Is There an Addiction Gene?
After completing numerous studies, scientists
found a number of different genes that can affect
risk for addiction.
Likewise, some genes can even reduce your risk for
addiction.

6. Here are a few examples:
• People addicted to alcohol or cocaine are more likely to have
the A1 allele on their dopamine receptor.
• Genes related to psychological disorders such as
externalizing psychopathology increase the risk of drug and
alcohol addiction.
• Alcoholism is rare in people who have two copies of the
ALDH*2 gene.
• A protective allele on the CYP2AG gene is more common in
non-smokers.

7. These are just a few of the many links scientists
have found that suggest drug and alcohol addiction
is hereditary.
More factors are being identified all the time.
Because of the research, it is believed that about
50% of your risk for addiction is due to genetic
factors, and 50% is due to your environment and
ability to cope.

8. The Role of Genetics in Treatment
Having a good understanding of how genetics can
affect the risk for addiction can be very valuable
when considering the best treatment options.
Treatment needs are different for different people,
and knowing what genetic factors are involved can
help doctors develop targeted treatments.

9. Research has already started on a gene that
responds well to a particular drug treatment.
Though scientists just recently began studying
therapeutic medicines that can modify genes, they
believe that this technology may help those
suffering from addiction to get better faster.

10. Addiction is Not Inevitable
Because of the strong link between addiction and
genetics, people with a family history may think
they will also become addicts.
Having addiction genes does not necessarily mean
you will become an addict.
Genetics can increase your risk, but your
environment is also a huge factor.

11. The good news:
Your environment is something that you can
change to suit your needs.
If you think drug or alcohol addiction
might be hereditary in your family, then take
proper precautions in your lifestyle to reduce your
chances of becoming addicted.

12. Make healthy lifestyle choices and tell your family
about your concerns.
Tell them you want to live a drug-free lifestyle.
If you are interested in learning about other ways
that you can reduce the risk of drug and alcohol
addiction in your lifestyle choices, reach out to us
today.

13. 1018 E. Oakhill Drive
Alpine, Utah 84004
877.415.4060
info@alpinerecoverylodge.com
www.alpinerecoverylodge.com