For most people, addiction and is seen as a poor choice on someone’s part. And because a lot of people see it as a failure or lack of will, then it’s harder for them to understand the process of getting over the addiction. When it comes to what facilitates the start of an addiction, genes play a part as well, besides the environment and social circumstances the person lives in.
Scientific studies show that genes play an important role in someone’s proneness to becoming addicted to substances, and many are surprised by how much it actually weighs on it.
One of the greatest breakthroughs in this topic’s research was a study conducted in 2004 at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Duke Medical Center. The researchers have isolated a protein in the DNA of mice, called PSD-95, which was a marker of the subjects’ ability to solve a maze, as well as the likelihood of them becoming addicted to cocaine.
This study was extrapolated to humans and it’s now known that this specific protein is what makes some people more likely to become addicted to prescription drugs, cocaine, morphine, alcohol, nicotine, and other substances.
Addiction Is a Disease
Thanks to these scientific findings, the perception of the public, and those suffering as well, has shifted from guilt and a sense of remorse over “lack of self-control” to seeing and treating addiction as a disease.
A person who engages in substance abuse long enough to develop dependency (tolerance to larger quantities of the substance and withdrawal symptoms when they don’t get it) is certainly affected by socio-economic factors, co-occurring disorders like mental health issues, and others. But genetics play a big role in the mechanism of addiction, and those who have such a history in their family can be more aware and practice prevention.
Sociology and rehabilitation programs rely a lot on the cultural and social factors influencing one’s predisposition to become addicted. When taking action, genetics aren’t the first factors to take into consideration, but being aware of this strong correlation helps fight the stigma associated with substance abuse and determine people to seek treatment.
Do You Need Help?
Contrary to popular belief, addiction isn’t the absence of self-control. The factors that can lead to addiction are more complex than just that and involve social-economic factors, mental health, and others. Genetics, as it’s has been shown in different studies, play a crucial role
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the first step is to acknowledge that it’s a treatable disease, and there are solutions for any case. Reach out and contact a mental health specialist, a rehab clinic, or simply your family and friends. With the proper treatment, therapy, and a solid support group, addiction can be cured and you can reclaim yourself and your life.
At Rehab Cape Town, we strive to offer the best patient centered care to our clients. Our drug rehabilitation centers are globally aligned and provide evidence based treatment.
