Substance abuse has been linked to several negative effects. Often, the cause of substance abuse is connected to one’s peers who hold a personal or familial influence. However, could other influences — namely genetic and environmental influences – play a role in substance abuse? Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, University of Montreal, the University of Quebec, and Laval University sought to find out.

1. Substance Abuse Linked
to Genetic,
Environmental, and Peer
Influences
Acqua Recovery
100 N. Johnson Mill Rd., Midway, UT 84049
(844) 654-3700

2. Substance abuse has been linked to several negative effects. Often, the cause of
substance abuse is connected to one’s peers who hold a personal or familial influence.
However, could other influences — namely genetic and environmental influences – play a
role in substance abuse? Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, University of
Montreal, the University of Quebec, and Laval University sought to find out.
Genetic Link to Substance Abuse
The 2018 study, published in Psychological Medicine, involved following twins since their
birth and studied their shared and non-shared experiences. Shared experiences include
their home environment and other experiences shared by the twins. Non-shared
experiences include experiences outside the family home and are unique to each child.
According to the researchers, twin studies were an optimal way to study and separate
genetic effect from environmental effects.

3. Findings
Similar to previous studies, the researchers found a link to the growing substance abuse
from adolescence around the ages of 13 to 17. Genetic influences, along with
environmental and peer influences, were found to be a factor related to the growth in
substance use.
Dr. Brett Laursen, the co-author of the study, says the inheritance of these genes could
help future researchers understand and investigate the link between genetics and
substance use, which is becoming increasingly important in explaining why substance
abuse is present in some adolescents. He claims it is wrong for many to assume that
peers are the only factor responsible for substance abuse.
The researchers also mention that, because of these findings, non-shared influences make
some preventive programs and rehabilitations ineffective. Varying factors such as age,
genes, and other influences may make these programs not as optimally effective.
According to the study, the genetic and environmental influence over substance abuse
requires that those seeking rehabilitation or intervention programs must be treated
accordingly in an optimal environment surrounded by familial links.

4. Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180425093758.htm
http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/teen-study-genetics.php
https://www.acquarecovery.com/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171115195303.htm