Research indicates traumatized children and adolescents have a greater risk of drug or alcohol abuse because of dysregulation, which is a regulation impairment of psychological, metabolic, or physiological processes. Terrorism, war, or refugee displacement.Stressors experienced in utero through age six.There are numerous studies that indicate a direct correlation to trauma and substance abuse, whether or not a child has a predisposition for addiction. Medical experts purport that the majority of children of parents with substance abuse problems do not, in fact, develop addictive behavior themselves. However, just as causation for addiction isn’t solely dependent on genetics, neither is it instigated only by direct influences. They may also have more access to illicit substances, prescription drugs, or alcohol. The phrase “I learned it from you!” pointed to the stark reality that children are greatly impacted by their environment.Ĭhildren exposed to parental drug or alcohol abuse and potentially harmful situations have a high probability of behavioral problems, often leading to substance experimentation. One of the most popular PSAs showed a teenager being confronted by his father about a hidden stash of drugs. In the 1980s, public service announcements, or PSAs, promoted extensive anti-drug campaigns. When there are no environmental factors, the genetic risk has a minimal effect. If a pre-disposed twin experiments with substances at an early age, suffers devastating trauma, has a mental illness, and/or experiences adverse developmental or environmental factors, there’s a strong chance that a compulsion to use will manifest into addiction. Studies featuring twins with a biological propensity for alcoholism, but separated at birth and raised in different households, reinforce that it’s not likely addiction will occur, even with the genetic component, if key external influences aren’t present as well. Both developing and recovering from it depend on biology, behavior, and social context.” Addiction is a condition caused by persistent changes in brain structure and function. Medical experts at the Institute of Medicine, the American Medical Association, and American Psychiatric Association explain that addiction is a brain disease: “It’s the uncontrollable, compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences. Environmental influences, learned behavior, and personality traits might also contribute to addiction. However, genes are only one small component of the overall picture. Research indicates that genetics are responsible for approximately 50 percent of the risk for drug and alcohol dependence. Generational cycles of addiction can devastate families and communities.
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Many people, especially teens, wonder if the propensity for addiction is hereditary.