Is addiction hereditary? If one had to answer this question in one word then it would be a “Yes!” but the answer is not that simple because many factors play a significant role in the onset of addiction. So, there is no single answer for it but we will try to come close to that in the words below while uncovering what is the link between heredity and drug addiction!
What is the Term Hereditary?
Before answering the question, is addiction hereditary, we should define the true meaning behind hereditary as that will give us the sweet spot for a better positioning in terms of explaining how addiction is genetic. So, let’s just do this:
Heredity is another word for biological inheritance & genetics, which is essentially the passing of genes from a set of parents to their offsprings, which make identifiable genetic markers across a family history. An example of this would be a recognizable characteristic such as prominent ears seen in a father and son duo.
If something is genetically inherited, we can say it is hereditary. But even if something is hereditary, that does not mean that it’s a confirmation it will be inherited. As mentioned before, there are a couple of other factors at play that inherently ensure if you really are getting something through inheritance. The genetic code (it is universally known the genetic code is made up of DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid, which is a protein molecule that carries our genetic information throughout generations) found in an organism such as us is called genotype.
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The factors that we describe above, environmental or otherwise, are called phenotypes. These phenotypes are brought into the mix as observable traits by our genotypes interactions with different kinds of phenotypes. The identifiable characteristics such as prominent ears are a result of this but not all characteristics or moreover phenotypes are inherited. For example, the intensity of you being sunburned but the way you specifically get sunburned is never inherited.
So, Is Addiction Hereditary in the Same Way Described Above?
They say the disease can be woven into your genetic code and addiction is indeed a disease, which many do not understand and end up underestimating the disease, especially when it comes knocking at the door in one way or another. It is a mental disease and has been given a name to classify it as substance use disorder (SUD). Due to genetics, some are more prone to it than others. If it is the case that SUD runs in the family, then it is probably the case that you are going to be more prone to getting addicted if you end up abusing recreational substances, even the gateway ones.
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How is Addiction Genetic?
This is the second best question related to the subject matter with the other being, “Is addiction hereditary?”. Experts believe genetics have an influence on addiction of the affected individual somewhere between 40% and 60%(1) but so do the environmental factors.
The connections of hereditary addiction come in the form of a neurotransmitter called Dopamine, the chemical messenger that is part of the reward system area of a human being’s brain. This is what the experts call the “feel-good” hormone. Having high or low levels of dopamine is essentially a genetic predisposition, which means if someone has been feeling a high or a low intake of dopamine, it is more or less than what the average human feels, respectively.
People with high levels of dopamine are more prone to impulsivity as it essentially leads to novelty-seeking behavior, making it more likely for them to end up with a serious addiction. But genetic predisposition is not destiny. Having it in the family does not mean you will end up with a serious addiction problem. Having addiction in the genes is not the problem, the problem is the environment provided to the same individual who is likely to come under pressure of an addiction problem.
Is Addiction Genetic or Hereditary? And Genetics vs Environment
First things first, stakeholders also ask questions like, “Is addiction genetic or hereditary?”. As we have mentioned before, the terms genetic and hereditary tend to describe the same thing, that is if a disease has a genetic code or is biologically inherited. So, there is no need to ask a question like, “Is addiction genetic or hereditary?”, then there should be no confusion.
In addition to that, there is also confusion about genetics vs environment. As mentioned before, having a genetic predisposition doesn’t mean that it is a sentence of sorts that addiction will indeed take place. This is because genetics are malleable enough(2) to accommodate environmental factors such as these:
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The Availability of the Recreational Substance: Easy access and exposure to any type of recreational substance, even marijuana, can essentially make it easier for addiction-prone individuals to readily fall into its cycle(3).
Peer Pressure: This environmental factor is the gateway to many gateway substances such as marijuana. We say gateway because these kinds of drugs provide the initial dopamine rush that addicts often seek to replicate again but due to increasing tolerance with trying every new drug, the rush fades, leaving the affected individual in the state of perpetual and vicious cycle of addiction.
Existing Mental Health Issues: SUD is aggravated tremendously with the addition of mental health issues in the mix. This is especially true for conditions that contribute to impulsivity such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Traumatic stress: There’s a strong correlation between prolonged exposure to traumatic events and substance abuse, as suggested by The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Even an acute traumatic stress reaction often leads to SUD if the affected individual indeed has a genetic predisposition, then addiction will promptly follow up. Perhaps, this answers the question of, “Is addiction hereditary?”.
Stress about sexual orientation: Another stress factor that contributes to the onset of addiction, while providing a good answer to addiction can be hereditary and should not be understated. The stress about what type of sexual orientation and anxiety of coming out to family and friends can be a major cause of concern.
All of these factors also create confusion about the background behind addiction, making people ask questions like, “Is addiction genetic or hereditary?”, “Is addiction genetic
Can addiction be genetic?”, “Is addictive personality genetic?”, “How is addiction genetic?”, or
What is the link between heredity and drug addiction?”.
Read More: Telehealth Addiction Treatment: A Path To Recovery From Anywhere
Wrapping Up!
This is the full trace of answers to questions like, “Is Addiction Hereditary?” and we hope the explanation of the additional factors was comprehensive enough to add proper context. If it is treatment like psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, or alternative one like telehealth psychiatry to treat conditions like addiction, depression, psychosis, anxiety, OCD, or an eating disorder, then what are you waiting for? Book an appointment today with one of the experts at Inland Empire Behavioral Group. You can always go to a 12-step meeting (Narcotics Anonymous), or take medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to ensure recovery from addiction starts promptly, which can also complement the others mentioned above when used in combination.
References and Footnotes:
- Deak JD, Johnson EC. Genetics of substance use disorders: a review. Psychol Med. 2021 Oct;51(13):2189-2200. doi: 10.1017/S0033291721000969. Epub 2021 Apr 21. Erratum in: Psychol Med. 2022 Mar;52(4):800. doi: 10.1017/S0033291722000629. PMID: 33879270; PMCID: PMC8477224.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33879270/ - Hatoum, A.S., Colbert, S.M.C., Johnson, E.C. et al. Multivariate genome-wide association meta-analysis of over 1 million subjects identifies loci underlying multiple substance use disorders. Nat. Mental Health 1, 210–223 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00034-y
- Broman, C. L. (2016). The Availability of Substances in Adolescence: Influences in Emerging Adulthood. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 25(5), 487–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2015.1103346
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heredity
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-addiction-genetic
