Genetics & Addiction: Exploring the Connection
It has long been thought that genetics & addiction have some form of connection, particularly when there is a family history of addiction struggles. Many people are curious about the role that genetics has to play in addiction. Is addiction genetic?
Just because you have family members who struggle with addiction does not mean that you will also have these battles in life by default. When you have been exposed to addiction throughout your life, it can be said that there is a genetic predisposition to addiction, alternatively known as substance use disorder (SUD); however, this is not a guarantee that you will struggle with addiction yourself.
If you have been struggling with addiction or have experienced a relapse in your recovery journey, you are not alone in this. At New Leaf Recovery, we are here to support you. Reach out to our team today, and let us help you overcome your struggles with addiction.
Understanding the Link Between Genetics & Addiction
Addiction is often defined by the NHS as when you have no control over taking, using or doing something that could result in being harmful for you.
Genetics is the study of heredity. This is the process that ascertains the genes that parents have passed onto their children.
Understanding the link between them is not always clear, but it is key to determining whether or not you can inherit an addiction or whether your environment is the root cause of addictive behaviours.
When looking at addictions in a closer light, it is clear that you have been exposed to some form of addictive agent in order to develop the behaviour in the first place. Much like addictions, there are a vast number of addictive agents in the environments around us; society is full of behaviours and habits that can quickly become a more serious concern. Foods, drugs, sex, gambling, video gaming and alcohol are a few common examples of addictive agents that can form part of daily life. With repeated exposure, these substances or behaviours can become uncontrollable, leading to addiction struggles.
Although not necessarily hereditary, the exposure to repeated addictive behaviours from younger ages can impact the likelihood of addiction as individuals grow. If you feel that you have addictive behaviours and struggle to break the cycle of them, reach out to our team for support today. We are here to help you overcome the addictive struggles.
Environmental Factors That Impact Addiction
The environmental factors that surround our everyday lives can impact addiction and addictive traits. Some of the common environmental factors to consider include:
- Living in high-risk crime areas
- Being unemployed
- Growing up with easy access to substances
- Starting substance use from an early age
- Seeing the use of substances as a social norm.
There are a multitude of environmental factors that can impact addiction alongside the above list, but it is key to understand the aspects of life that can have influence over your choices and behaviours.
Chronic exposure to negative influences can result in changes to the brain, leading to altered behaviours such as impulsivity or seeking sensations. These exposures are more likely to result in higher risks of addiction.
If you have been struggling with addiction due to the environmental factors in your life, seek support with New Leaf Recovery. Our private rehabilitation centre gives clients an opportunity to seek a new start and find methods to help their impulsive behaviours. Speak to our team today to find out how we can support you or your loved one.
Other Contributing Factors That Impact Addiction
Aside from environmental factors, there are a number of other factors that can be taken into account when it comes to addiction:
- Early life adverse experiences
- Family experiences in childhood
- Learned behaviours and brain changes
- Psychiatric factors.
Often, if you have been exposed to a number of adverse experiences in your young life or have experienced poor parenting, a lack of emotional connection growing up or have had parental rejection, these factors can impact the ways in which you make decisions, regulate emotions and socialise, amongst other behaviours.
When you have taken on board a learned behaviour, and this has been reinforced repeatedly due to enjoyment and pleasure, this can change the way your brain responds to said behaviour over time. When a substance is then removed or a behaviour stops, this can result in extreme stress and withdrawal.
Psychiatric factors can include a range of genetic components as well as conditions such as schizophrenia, severe depression and personality disorders. Often, these are associated in some way with addiction.
There are numerous contributing factors that can impact addiction and create these addictive behaviours throughout life; however, it is key to remember that you are not alone in the struggles that come with addiction. At New Leaf Recovery in Birmingham, we are here to help and support you on the road to recovery, taking time to unpack your addiction and find its root cause in order to overcome the struggles.
Support with New Leaf Recovery
Our aim at New Leaf Recovery is to help everyone overcome their struggles with addiction. We take time to understand every individual client, helping them to understand more about their addiction and find techniques that support their recovery.
As part of our recovery programme, we offer a wide range of treatments, including:
- Art therapy
- Movement therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Emotional freedom technique (EFT)
- Counselling
- Group and 1:1 sessions
- Meditation
- Health and Well-Being
We also introduce all clients to the 12 Steps Programme, helping them to complete the initial steps and take it with them into daily life post-rehab.
If you or a loved one needs additional support in their recovery, speak to our team today and find out how we can help you. It is key to remember that rehab is for everyone, even if you have relapsed.
We are here to support you through your recovery!