InSynch Health

The Role of Genetics in Substance Abuse and Addiction

If substance abuse is part of your family history, you may be genetically predisposed to battling addiction, too. Learn more about how your genetics may play a role in alcohol and drug abuse and how to stop addiction before it starts.

If you have a family history of substance abuse or addiction, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll experience problems yourself. However, there’s a genetic link you should be mindful of to protect your health.

At InSynch Health in Beaumont, Texas, our addiction specialists offer a range of services, including psychotherapy and medications, to help our patients overcome addictions to drugs, alcohol, and other substances. In this blog, we explain the link between genetics and addiction.

Genetic factors and addiction

The influence genetics has on your risk for substance abuse involves your susceptibility to addiction. This means that you can have genetic factors that make you prone to misusing drugs or alcohol, but it’s not certain that you’ll develop a problem.

The genetic makeup of your DNA is passed down to you from your parents. Your genes affect how you act and contribute to your personality and mental health. Genetics can also affect your physical health and make you more susceptible to a wide range of diseases.

But having parents or other relatives with substance abuse issues doesn’t always mean you’ll be addicted as well. In addition to genetic factors, your environment, mindset, and peer influences can also play a role in addiction.

You might also be at a higher risk for substance abuse issues if you have undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues that relate to your genetic history.

An overview of addiction

When you misuse or abuse drugs or alcohol, it stimulates your brain’s reward system and leaves you feeling good. These good feelings are why people continue to use drugs and alcohol.

Ultimately, ongoing use of substances triggers changes in the chemistry of your brain. Your body becomes dependent on the substances you take and produces withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking or using drugs.

These symptoms can be so uncomfortable that you continue to use them regardless of the consequences your actions have on your life or loved ones.

Ideally, those who have a family history of substance abuse should be aware of their susceptibility to addiction and take preventive action. Avoid circumstances and people that make you feel pressured to drink or use drugs. Stay focused on living a healthy life and engaging in healthy habits.

Treatment options for substance abuse

If you feel like you’re not able to control your use of drugs or alcohol, you can find help at InSynch Health. We offer services that can help you recover from an addiction to:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Marijuana
• Stimulants
• Benzodiazepines

Our team also offers customized services that can help you kick your addiction to tobacco and caffeine, so you can optimize your overall health.

We use a combination of psychotherapy and medications to reduce your cravings and minimize the withdrawal symptoms, so you can quit for good. Our providers are also highly skilled at addressing underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which can factor into your decision to use drugs or alcohol.

If you want help getting off of drugs or alcohol, we can help. To learn more, call 409-245-0795 or book an appointment online with InSynch Health today.

InSynch Health

✆ Phone (appointments): 281-721-4181

Email: frontdesk@insynchhealth.com

Fax: 949-757-6621

Address: 87 I-10 Service Road, Suite 125, Beaumont, TX 77707