Should genes be blamed for bad habits?

Are genes responsible for the cravings for harmful substances?

Some believe that there is a "gene for alcoholism" or other addictions. But this is not the case. Most hereditary traits are determined not by one gene, but by several at once. For example, only about 16 regions of the genome are responsible for the color of our eyes. And with such things as a predisposition to alcoholism, smoking or drug addiction, the situation is even more complicated.

To find out what those who abuse hazardous substances have in common, scientists conduct genome-wide studies, during which a person's DNA is analyzed entirely using special equipment - sequencers.

Thanks to such studies, many genes have been found associated with addiction to cigarettes 1.

4., alcohol 1.

and drugs 1.

3.. But scientists disagree on how and why genes influence our behavior.

Some believe that genes responsible for the production of hormones are primarily to blame for bad habits. For example, naturally low dopamine levels cause a person to seek pleasure, and he may find it in psychoactive substances.

Others think that genes are responsible for certain character traits. And they, in turn, can make a person more vulnerable to the development of addictions.

Why you can't blame everything on heredity

In addition to genes, the formation of addiction is influenced by the nature, upbringing, orientation of interests, environment, social conditions, the availability of harmful substances and other circumstances.

Heredity and external causes play approximately the same role in the development of addictions. In different cases, each of these factors accounts for about 40-60% of the risk.

There are many examples when children from wealthy families became alcoholics or drug addicts. This is because they got in touch with bad company and had enough money to buy substances, and their parents did not follow them.

And the children of dependent parents repeat their fate not only because of the genes. Alcoholics or drug addicts are more likely to abuse children. As a result, those develop stress disorders and psychological trauma, and deteriorate social skills. And this spurs the craving for alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. This is largely why addicts first try substances as adolescents.

Genetic and environmental factors can interact and reinforce each other. For example, the use of cocaine can activate DNA markers that increase the production of proteins associated with feelings of pleasure. This, in turn, increases addiction.

Is it possible to influence the predisposition to addiction

You can't fix genes. But the risk of developing bad habits decreases if external factors are changed.

Thus, children from disadvantaged families can be beneficially influenced by a good company, the availability of sports, new hobbies, and attention from important adults. A positive role can be played by relatives, teachers, mentors in circles and sections, and even neighbors who will show attention and care or help in a difficult situation.

The change in external factors also affects adults. In a company where it is not customary to drink, smoke or use drugs, a person is unlikely to do something like that. And playing sports or your favorite hobby can bring new meaning to life, fill the void, help spend unspent energy and fight loneliness. All this can reduce the cravings for bad habits by about half.