Substance use disorders affected 48.7 million people in the United States in 2022.^[1] Although anyone can face these conditions, some people have a higher risk than others due to the powerful connection between genetics and addiction. Learn more about how your genetic makeup can impact your risk for addiction.

Understanding Genetics and Addiction

Often, people think of substance abuse as a decision someone makes. While there is a degree of choice involved in the process, other factors are also at play. Moreover, they can make someone more likely to struggle with these issues.

Most people have an idea of how environmental factors can lead someone to develop an addiction. Those who have easy access to drugs or alcohol or those who live a high-stress life can all face greater risk. Not everyone realizes, however, that your genetic information could also affect whether you develop a substance use disorder.

Just as your family history impacts your chances of dealing with illnesses like heart disease or diabetes, it can also point toward a higher risk of experiencing mental health concerns and addictions. In fact, your genetic variation accounts for up to 60% of your risk of developing an addiction.^[2]

In recent studies, scientists have identified variations of specific genes that can point to a higher risk of developing substance use issues. The strongest gene predictors are those involved in regulating dopamine signaling.

This is based on the complex interactions of multiple genes. Such interactions can spell out a higher risk for both addiction (especially alcohol use disorders) and mental and physical issues, including psychiatric disorders.^[3]

However, this doesn’t mean that genetic factors will cause someone to develop an alcohol or drug addiction. What it does mean is that those with higher risk factors could more easily become dependent if they come into contact with certain substances.

Genes Involved in Addiction

There isn’t one gene involved with substance use disorders. Individual substances can affect different areas of the brain. It follows that the genes that might put you at a higher risk of developing an alcohol addiction might not be the same ones that put you at risk of a cocaine addiction.

Two of the genes that appear to impact alcohol dependency are alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which are involved in metabolizing alcohol. A variation in these genes could lead someone to either experience uncomfortable symptoms while drinking even small amounts of alcohol or to have a propensity toward drinking more.^[4]

Genes that impact stress resilience, including MAOA, SLC6A4, and COMT, can also impact whether someone develops an addiction. Variations in these genes could make you less able to manage stress levels effectively, and that could lead to self-medicating.^[5]

One of the genes associated with cocaine addiction is HIST1H2BD. It’s involved in the production of proteins for cells’ nuclei.^[6] It’s still not fully understood why a variation of this gene can make you more likely to develop a cocaine addiction.

Managing Addiction: Treatment Paths to Consider

Regardless of what genetic and environmental factors lead someone to develop a substance use disorder, treatment is always necessary to achieve long-term sobriety. One reason for this is that the process of stopping the substance can be dangerous if you’re not carefully monitored.

Long-term use of alcohol or drugs causes structural changes to your brain, affecting neurotransmitters and causing chemical imbalances. The moment you stop using the substance, your body has a tough time adjusting. This results in severe withdrawal symptoms.

The actual symptoms you experience depend on the exact substance you’ve been using as well as on how long you’ve used it. To avoid some of the most dangerous effects of the process, you have to rely on detox programs. They offer the chance to receive medical assistance and supervision.

Once you complete detox, you have a variety of treatment options to choose from. These include inpatient and outpatient options. The severity of the addiction, as well as your family and work responsibilities, will impact which program is best for you.

Trust Ocean Hills Recovery With Your Journey to Sobriety

Genetics and addiction are closely linked. The risk of alcohol or drug use disorders rises if you have a family history of addiction or certain gene variations. If you’re struggling with a substance use disorder, we offer several programs at Ocean Hills Recovery.

Our approach combines holistic and evidence-based treatment modalities. Call our experts to learn more about how we can help.

Sources:

[1] https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-data

[2] https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes/

[3] https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/03/new-nih-study-reveals-shared-genetic-markers-underlying-substance-use-disorders

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6286250/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3506170/

[6] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-021-01256-1

About the author:

Robert Leigh

As CEO of Ocean Hills Recovery, Robert Leigh brings forth an immense passion for helping those suffering create change in their lives. With years of experience in the addiction treatment industry, Robert’s active role at Ocean Hills helps integrate his philosophy that addiction and recovery is a personalized journey, and addiction treatment should echo the same mission. Robert’s innovation in the addiction treatment industry has involved integrating exceptional and effective treatment to those that walk into the doors of Ocean Hills, creating a truly unique and individualized treatment program – ensuring that individuals have the foundation and tools they need to live successful lives long after treatment has been completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

The Connection Between Genetics and Addiction