Does Genetics Play a Role in Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

When you know someone who struggles with alcohol or drug addiction, your first thought is often to look for a “why.” Did they fall into the wrong crowd? Did they turn to substances as a way to take the edge off underlying troubles? Do they come from a family where alcohol and drugs were prevalent?

Researchers and clinicians alike have worked long and hard to uncover the roots of addiction, with the hope that by identifying the causes, they can provide more effective care to people in need.

Current research points to a complex combination of genetics and environmental factors as the most likely cause of drug and alcohol addiction. However, while lifestyle choices and social influences are obvious contributors, emerging evidence suggests that genetics may play a more significant role than previously thought.

So, is addiction genetic? How much does a person’s genetic makeup contribute to their likelihood of developing an addiction? In this article, we’ll explore how genetic predispositions can influence addiction and what this means for prevention and finding personalized and practical approaches to treatment.

Genetics and Drug Addiction

If you struggle with drug or alcohol dependency, someone else in your family likely does, too. It’s common for addiction to affect multiple members of a family over generations, adding to the collective belief that substance use disorders are inherited.

Do some people have an “addiction gene”?

Current research suggests that there is no single “addiction gene.” Instead, it seems like numerous genetic factors play a role. A recent study published in Nature Mental Health revealed that 19 independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with overall addiction risk, and 47 SNPs were connected to specific substance use disorders (SUDs).

Genetic risk factors for substance use disorder

Current research shows that multiple genes are linked to the risk of developing SUD. Another study published in Molecular Psychiatry showed that genetic variation in 19 genes was associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) risk. Two specific genes — OPRM1 and FURIN — were associated with OUD specifically, while others were related to a broader variety of SUDs.

Environmental factors

Addiction researchers and specialists have long attributed alcohol and drug problems to a combination of biological and environmental factors. Genetics play a role in addiction development, but environmental factors play an equal part.

The most significant environmental contributors to addiction include:

Substance use at an early age
Regular exposure to substance use by others
History of trauma
Chronic stress
Easy access to substances
Homelessness
Unemployment
Low socioeconomic status
Lack of alternative coping mechanisms

New research shows that genetics may play a more significant role in determining these factors than previously believed. But that doesn’t mean having a certain genetic makeup guarantees you’ll develop a drug or alcohol dependency.

As Nora Volkow, MD, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, explains, “Genetics play a key role in determining health throughout our lives, but they are not our destiny.” If someone with a genetic predisposition for addiction chooses not to drink or use drugs, they will never develop a dependency. The same is true in reverse — a person with no genetic risk factors may develop an addiction if they have other environmental or behavioral risk factors.

Genetics and Alcohol Use Disorder

If addiction is partially genetic, is alcoholism genetic, too? Research is similar across the board regarding the role that genes play in the development of alcohol use disorder.

Is alcohol use disorder genetic?

Much like the myth of an “addiction gene,” there is no “alcoholism gene”; alcohol use disorder (AUD) has yet to be definitively traced to a single gene or genetic mutation. Multiple genes play a role in a person’s likelihood of developing AUD, and those genes account for about 40% to 60% of the variation in risk for becoming alcohol dependent.

What contributes to a person’s risk of alcoholism?

If alcoholism is genetic to a certain extent, what makes up the remaining variation in risk for AUD? These influences, referred to as environmental factors, are similar to those for developing SUD.

They include:

Introduction to alcohol at an early age
Drinking habits of parents, siblings, or other close family members or friends
Pre-existing mental health conditions
Lower socioeconomic status
Past trauma
Extreme stress

Again, environmental influences are a vital part of the equation. The genetic component of alcohol use disorder plays no role in addiction if a person never picks up a drink. The best way to reduce the likelihood of developing a problem with alcohol use is to limit exposure to alcohol from the beginning.

Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Researchers hope that exposing the genetic risk factors for addiction will empower people to consider their level of risk when using drugs or alcohol. As Dr. Volkhow of NIDA explained, “Our hope with genomic studies is to further illuminate factors that may protect or predispose a person to SUDs — knowledge that can be used to expand preventative services and empower individuals to make informed decisions about drug use.”

Thankfully, AUD and SUD are both treatable conditions; even a person with every identified risk factor working against them can overcome their addiction and reach long-term recovery. The most important step you can take in overcoming an addiction is to recognize the problem. The second most important step is to commit to getting help.

STR Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania provides a full continuum of care for addiction, from detox and withdrawal management to intensive residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and alumni support. We help clients address all aspects of their addiction, from physical dependence and cravings to the psychological and emotional factors that often lie at the root of a person’s addiction struggles.

Wherever you are in your journey to recovery, STR can help you take the next step. Find a location near you and contact us today to learn more about our treatment options or speak to an admissions specialist.

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