Have you noticed that some people can smoke one cigarette and never think about them again, while others take one puff and form a lifelong habit?
People often make light of this, saying that they simply have an “addictive personality”. But is there any truth to this – is risk of addiction in our genes?
The answer is yes, but it can be quite complicated.
Scientists have been looking into the genetics of addiction for years. According to research from Rutgers University, your genetic makeup can be more than 70% responsible for whether you develop an addiction or not.
So does that mean all is lost, and there’s no point in fighting against addiction? Far from it. Instead, understanding the role that genetics play could help you to understand risk factors – and help you to fight it.
How genetics influence addiction
Your genetic code can influence the development of addiction in different ways, with some substance abuse disorders being more heritable than others. For example you have around 50% chance of inheriting the gene for alcohol addiction from your parents, and more than 70% chance of inheriting the gene for addiction to cocaine.
Some genes aren’t just specific to one type of addiction, either, but can increase your chances of forming multiple addictions. A study published in the journal Nature identified the PDE4B gene, which is a dopamine receptor that increases the chances of multiple types of addiction.
Another way genetics can increase your risk for addiction is their influence on your impulse control. If your genetic disposition means you’re more likely to take higher risks to get a reward, this puts you at risk for a lot of different types of addiction – from narcotics to gambling.
Other genes only apply one type of addiction.For example the Nature study identified 9 genes linked to alcohol addiction, 32 for tobacco, 5 for cannabis and one for opiods.
Hundreds of genetic risk factors have already been discovered by researchers. When these are combined with environmental factors – like childhood trauma, stress, and mental health disorders – people are at greater risk of developing an addiction.
Which addictions can be inherited?
All addictions can be inherited, but some are more heritable than others. For example you’re less likely to inherit the gene for hallucinogen addiction (39%), while you’re more likely to inherit the gene for cocaine addiction (72%). Alcohol use disorder is also quite heritable, although less so than caffeine and opiates.
The National Library of Medicine has an interesting graphic on genetic susceptibility to different which addictive substances, pulled together from multiple twin studies.
Is gambling addiction genetic?
Yes. Scientists have discovered genes that link to gambling addiction, and it’s around 50% heritable. This is more heritable than the genes for sedatives, cannabis, stimulant and hallucinogenic addiction, but less heritable than the genes for nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, opiates and cocaine.
If you have a family history of gambling addiction, it’s worth being aware that you could be at addiction risk. It’s worth putting protective measures into place, like avoiding casinos and gambling apps.
Is nicotine addiction genetic?
Yes, nicotine addiction can be genetic. People with variants in the CHRNA5/A3/B4 gene cluster are more likely to be addicted to nicotine. Worryingly, these gene variants are also linked to the chances of developing lung cancer – which smoking could make more likely.
Key genes linked to addiction
There are hundreds of genes linked to addiction, with more being discovered each day. These are some of the key ones:
- PDE4B – linked to dopamine regulation, and addiction to multiple substances
- DRD2 – this dopamine receptor gene controls how the brain processes rewards, and is linked to addiction to alcohol, cocaine and opiods
- OPRM1 – this opioid receptor gene is most commonly found in people with addictions to opiates and nicotine.
- CHRNA5 – people with two copies of this gene are more likely to be addicted to nicotine.
How to know if you have an addiction gene
While there are tests that can check if you have one of the key addiction genes, these aren’t commercially available in the UK yet.
One of the best ways to tell if you have a genetic predisposition to addiction is by looking at your family history. If your parents and siblings also show addictive behaviours, there’s a high chance that the gene runs in your family.
Beyond genetics: what else can influence addiction?
The expression of genes can be influenced by things going on outside of your body. Whether you have a genetic risk for addiction or not, your environment can be a deciding factor in whether or not you develop a substance use disorder.
Having a difficult family environment, especially during childhood, can push people towards drugs and alcohol. Witnessing violence, experiencing child abuse or going through other traumatic events are environmental risk factors that can lead to addiction later in life.
Mental health problems are a co-occurring issue with substance misuse. Many people use drugs to self medicate common mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and ADHD.
And then there’s the world around us, our social environment. If it’s easy to get drugs, alcohol or cigarettes then we’re more likely to try them. There’s also peer pressure, and consuming media that glorifies drug use.
When these factors are combined with a genetic predisposition to addiction, it’s more likely that people are going to develop addiction.
Another study published in Nature measured genetic scores alongside environmental risk factors and found that people with the highest levels of risk were four times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than people with the lowest level of risk.
Drug addiction treatment can help you to put your genetic influences aside and work towards a plan of action
If you have an inclination towards substance abuse, it’s important to recognise your triggers – the things that make you most likely to reach for the object of your addiction. Talking therapy, like drug counselling, is a good first step. Your therapist should help you to develop better coping skills and stress management, making you less likely to relapse in the future.
If you’re struggling to get a hold on your substance use disorder, signing up for drug rehab can give you a safe space to detox.
Talk to Which Rehab today to find the best rehab for your situation.
BREAK FREE FROM ADDICTION
Our team of rehab and addiction specialists are on hand to talk to you day or night.
