Risk factors Addiction

1 risk factors

1.1 age
1.2 genetic factors
1.3 environmental factors
1.4 psychological factors
1.5 transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

risk factors

there range of genetic , environmental risk factors developing addiction vary across population. half of individual s risk developing addiction derived genetics, while other half derived environment. however, in individuals relatively low genetic loading, exposure sufficiently high doses of addictive drug long period of time (e.g., weeks–months) can result in addiction. in other words, can become addict under right circumstances.

age

adolescence represents period of unique vulnerability developing addiction. not adolescents more initiate , maintain drug use, once addicted more resistant treatment , more liable relapse. statistics have shown start drink alcohol @ younger age more become dependent later on. 33% of population tasted first alcohol between ages of 15 , 17, while 18% experienced prior this. alcohol abuse or dependence, numbers start off high first drank before 12 , drop off after that. example, 16% of alcoholics began drinking prior turning 12 years old, while 9% first touched alcohol between 15 , 17. percentage lower, @ 2.6%, first started habit after 21.

genetic factors

it has long been established genetic factors along social , psychological factors contributors addiction. common theory along these lines self-medication hypothesis. epidemiological studies estimate genetic factors account 40–60% of risk factors alcoholism. similar rates of heritability other types of drug addiction have been indicated other studies. knestler hypothesized in 1964 gene or group of genes might contribute predisposition addiction in several ways. example, altered levels of normal protein due environmental factors change structure or functioning of specific brain neurons during development. these altered brain neurons change susceptibility of individual initial drug use experience. in support of hypothesis, animal studies have shown environmental factors such stress can affect animal s genotype.

overall, data implicating specific genes in development of drug addiction mixed genes. 1 reason may case due focus of current research on common variants. many addiction studies focus on common variants allele frequency of greater 5% in general population, when associated disease, these confer small amount of additional risk odds ratio of 1.1–1.3 percent. on other hand, rare variant hypothesis states genes low frequencies in population (<1%) confer greater additional risk in development of disease.

genome-wide association studies (gwas) developed research method used examine genetic associations dependence, addiction, , drug use. these studies employ unbiased approach finding genetic associations specific phenotypes , give equal weight regions of dna, including no ostensible relationship drug metabolism or response. these studies identify genes proteins described via animal knockout models , candidate gene analysis. instead, large percentages of genes involved in processes such cell adhesion commonly identified. not previous findings, or gwas findings, erroneous. important effects of endophenotypes typically not capable of being captured these methods. furthermore, genes identified in gwas drug addiction may involved either in adjusting brain behavior prior drug experiences, subsequent them, or both.

environmental factors

adverse childhood experiences (aces) various forms of maltreatment , household dysfunction experienced in childhood. adverse childhood experiences study centers disease control , prevention has shown strong dose–response relationship between aces , numerous health, social, , behavioral problems throughout person s lifespan, including associated substance abuse. children s neurological development can disrupted when chronically exposed stressful events such physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, physical or emotional neglect, witnessing violence in household, or parent being incarcerated or suffering mental illness. result, child s cognitive functioning or ability cope negative or disruptive emotions may impaired. on time, child may adopt substance use coping mechanism, particularly during adolescence.

the national institute on drug abuse cites lack of parental supervision, prevalence of peer substance use, drug availability, , poverty risk factors substance use development.

psychological factors

individuals comorbid (i.e., co-occurring) mental health disorders such depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) or post-traumatic stress disorder more develop substance use disorders.

the national institute on drug abuse cites aggressive behavior risk factor substance use development.

transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

epigenetic genes , products (e.g., proteins) key components through environmental influences can affect genes of individual; serve mechanism responsible transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of behavioral phenotypes, phenomenon in environmental influences on genes of parent can affect associated traits , behavioral phenotypes of offspring (e.g., behavioral responses environmental stimuli). in addiction, epigenetic mechanisms play central role in pathophysiology of disease; has been noted of alterations epigenome arise through chronic exposure addictive stimuli during addiction can transmitted across generations, in turn affecting behavior of 1 s children (e.g., child s behavioral responses addictive drugs , natural rewards). more research needed determine specific epigenetic mechanisms , nature of heritable behavioral phenotypes arise addictions in humans. based upon preclinical evidence lab animals, addiction-related behavioral phenotypes transmitted across generations may serve increase or decrease child s risk of developing addiction.