Do genetics affect the chance of you abusing substances? -doctors opinion needed?
952194
different factors are involved in someone who abuses substances, and genetics is one of them. It does not mean, though, that it's a genetic condition, but genetics is involved in it.
1139236
If that is true then I have to blame myself for my daughter dying of a cocaine overdose and I do look back and see how I could have been a better parent.I think it is some genetics and some environmental.We do feel quilt when our children have problems but I guess none of us are perfect.
829069
No, I have epilepsy with a life history of grand mal seziures. Nobody else ever had it on either dad's side or mom's side of the family. It can be caused a blow to the  head,brain injury (accidental), however, you can be born with it, If you are born with it, then God choose that person for some special reason. Taking medication for it has nothing to do with passing it on, either. If born with it, that person was chosen for a special purpose, we may not know that purpose, but there is one. I have to take meds. to keep mine under control.
972159
I spent some time (months) in a recovery center and many subsequent AA meetings and it was hammered into my head that it was hereditary even though I have no alcoholic family members. It also was hammered into my head that there is no cure and that you will always be alcoholic once you become one... even if you quit drinking for years and years. Turns out my alcoholism was triggered by my depression. Once the depression was fixed, the alcoholism went bye-bye. It's been a year and a half now, and there are no cravings or desires to drink anymore. My point is simple, if you think you might be depressed, avoid alcohol at all costs... it will kill you. It almost killed me. Thank God I found my way out of that miserable depression and no longer want or need to escape.\n\nThat being said, if you think you have an addictive personality or are genetically predisposed, you might want to be super careful when it comes to drinking, because it really can be powerfully addictive. Many of the patients in therapy were related to users. I remember the counsellor saying that alcohol is just as addictive as heroin if not more so. Take that for what it's worth, you probably don't want to be tempted to go down that road. Besides, there's so much more to life than partying. Too bad, it took a close brush with death for me to realize that.\n\nThere are some pretty good answers here... kvh's is among the best. Unfortunately, "doctor's" is not one of them. \n\nHope this helps.
684172
my mom's side is allergic to anything alcoholic and my dad's side goes overboard to the point of killing themselves. it is not a chance that i feel comfortable taking. i don't have any friends that have a "problem". however, in high school they used drugs. they don't now. hubby used for a bit. before we met he said that he had a "drinking problem" and stopped. very seldom he has a drink.\n\ni know of a girl that has a severe drug problem, i don't think that she will admit it to herself. she would rather buy drugs than food for the kids, lives with her mom-at age 31, doesn't know how to drive and mooches off of everyone that she can. people are getting wise, thank goodness. she's on he 4th kid, now and her 3 year old knows how to use the word "bong" correctly in a sentence. scary, huh?
766494
There is a suspected genetic component to alcoholism and other addictive behavior.  Traits clearly run in families.  What is not as clear is how much of the behavior is learned vs. how much is genetic.
457126
it depends on your genes
305271
This is an ongoing debate in Science at the moment! When genetics was first discovered, one of the first things that was first asked was: "does our emotion come DNA".\n\nUnfortuntly, there are still no answers. Certain scientists have found that those people that have violent/anger tendancies often have the same gene somewhere in their chromosomes. However, this is not what makes you violet - and so far they can only suggest that it increases the chances of making you more suseptible to anger/violence. Other scientific studies have been inconclusive!\n\nMany people still believe in the "environmental" factor - The believe that your actions, your personality and the type of person you are is determined by your environment: Where you live, how you are were brought up etc.\n\nSo, the answer is: Nobody Knows!\n\nI hope that helps!\nTom
191787
Absolutely.  If his father is a drug dealer, than he is always running the risk of being involved in violence.  Users will do anything sometimes to get their drugs, including violence.  I used to deal drugs when I was a teenager, but I grew up and found the Lord.  I would never put my children in that situation.  I would say keep him away from his father as much as possible.  Kids are smart.  Don't expose your child to lifestyles that you don't want him to grow up and live in.  Plus, on top of that he is abusive....make the smart choice for your child.
99271
genetics and hormones
106877
This (below) looks like an excellent study to try to gain access to and read.  I've seen a variety of statistics, with 10% seeming to be the most reasonable percentage of people who are successful with methadone treatment.  There are some who become addicted to methadone, however, so the clear-cut statistics you're looking for seem to be almost impossible to find.
193079
I read once (many years ago) that Native American communities have the highest rate of suicide and depression of any group of people.\n\nI don't think suicide is genetic but a predisposition to depression can be.\n\nAs for how it affects people you might want to look up studies on it. I'm sure someone has looked into this.
1142492
excellen t chance - unless it was because of a drug interaction - were you drinking or taking other pills?
595349
I think you're pretty much spot on with your question.  There's nothing to suggest it's hereditary and in fact, ADHD / ADD is little more than a modern 'convenience illness'.  In many cases it's used as a label applied to badly behaved kids and is often done so by physicians in order to make parents feel better about themselves.\n\nThe reliable research that's been done very strongly suggests that it's environmental factors not hereditary ones and as you pointed out, diet is one of the most influential factors.  Others include peers, school, parents, society, media and all those other things that affect the way a child behaves.\n\nThe general consensus amongst the experts is that it's not even a condition per se but just a politically correct and socially acceptable way of rebranding a misbehaving child.\n\nThe genetic 'link' is most probably due to the fact that children are likely to lead a similar lifestyle to their parents.  If someone is bought up on burgers and fries then they're likely to bring their children up in a similar way.
571935
Excessive drug use and inbreeding.
1082892
If it is inhereted then you need to go see a genetic counsseler. They will trace your family pedegree for the trait and find out if it is dominant or reccesive and the likelyhood of passing it on. But as a fair warning if it is somewhat rare and the effects show in you then it is probably reccesive so you have a 100% chance of passing it on. However if it is reccesive and your partener does not pass it on then it wont effect your kids :) ...\n\nsorry if you already know this, my point is you should se a genetic counseler. They will tell you everything you need to know.
221435
You can be born with the gene of being an addict...it is hereditary. YOu may not necessarily become an alcholic, but may be a drug addict, food addict, etc.