Can your genes affect whether or not you become addicted to drugs or alcohol?

If someone in your family has a problem with substance abuse or addiction, you may have found yourself wondering if it will affect you too. This isn’t an unreasonable question. Studies on twins have shown that genetics do play a part in how likely an individual is to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

What does this mean for me?
Without a complex analysis of your DNA, it’s hard to say whether or not your particular genes will give you a predisposition toward addiction. The science behind addiction is fascinating, but it takes place on a level that doesn’t translate well to everyday choices and understanding. Take note of your family history as you would with a medical history of cancer or heart disease. If close family members suffer from addiction, this could be an indicator that you’re at risk.

If I don’t have a family history, am I safe?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that environment and genetics are linked. Your life, stress, culture and more can affect whether or not you develop an addiction. Genetics may influence how you respond to stress in your life. It’s important to understand that no one is “safe” from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Even if you don’t have genes that increase your risk, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Do genetics affect treatment?
In the future, DNA may help doctors establish the best treatment options for an individual's addiction. Fortunately, progress is being made rapidly. Establishing better treatment options for addiction is in the best interests of everyone.

If you believe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor or consult with a counselor right away to find out how you can get the help you need. To learn more about LiveFree! and our mission to reduce youth substance abuse, visit our website.

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Talking to a loved one about the excessive use of alcohol can be difficult, but you can make it a little easier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 80,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. It's hard to have someone who is close become dependent on alcohol and need it just to make it through the day. It can be very tough to try and talk to them about their addiction, but there are a few things that you can do to make it a little easier on you and on them.

• Be specific — When you are talking with your loved one, make sure you explain to them that their drinking habit is affecting both of your lives.
• Be respectful — You do want to be specific with your loved one, but you also want to respect them. Don't over exaggerate or be rude about it. Just stick with the facts
• Make them aware of the consequences — Many people who abuse alcohol, don't really notice that there are repercussions for their actions. Make sure that they know there will be consequences if they do not get help — but don't threaten them.
• Offer your help and some solutions — Make sure that before sitting down to talk with them, you find out what options are available for help. It will be a lot easier to help them if they know you are there to support them.

Alcohol abuse is nothing to play around with — if you think a loved one is in over their head, make sure you use the tips above to talk with them about the difficulties and the consequences of their actions.

If you have a loved one who you think has a drinking problem, click here for more information on what you should do. To learn more about LiveFree! and their mission, visit their website.

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Learn how to recognize the signs of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol abuse can sneak up on people. Learn how to recognize symptoms in yourself, your friends and your loved ones. When you suspect alcohol abuse, seek help and support. Alcohol dependence, or addiction, is a physical dependence on alcohol. Alcohol abuse is use of alcohol that leads to problems in your life. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that about 1 out of 6 people in the United States have a drinking problem. Be aware of these symptoms.

Have you or a loved one felt concerned about drinking?
Have you ever thought that maybe you’re drinking too much or relying too heavily on alcohol to have a good time or relax? Has a loved one or friend expressed concerns over how much you drink or how you act when you’re drinking? These kinds of responses are an obvious sign of alcohol abuse, but one that people often ignore. Listen to your instincts.

Are you experiencing behavior changes?
People who abuse alcohol experience problems in everyday life. Has alcohol caused you stop engaging in hobbies or social activities? Are you struggling at work or school? Have you made a poor decision, such as drinking and driving? Changes in behavior are a common sign of alcohol abuse.

Do you drink frequently or in large volumes?
A lack of control surrounding drinking habits is a sign of alcohol abuse. Be wary if you drink several drinks in one sitting, if you drink several times a week, or if you feel unable to stop drinking. Other signs include drinking alone and making excuses to drink.

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Think you understand addiction? There’s a good chance your knowledge about addiction comes from popular culture and myths that aren’t grounded in the reality of substance abuse and addiction. Check out these common myths and see how your understanding measures up.

Myth: Addicts use drugs to escape problems.
According to DrugAbuse.gov, addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. People begin trying drugs and alcohol for many reasons, and becoming addicted has nothing to do with an individual’s personal situation. While it’s true that initial drug use or alcohol use might be a form of escape, anyone can become addicted.

Myth: People with high alcohol tolerance won’t become addicts.
Becoming addicted to alcohol doesn’t just happen to people who become drunk easily. Being able to drink large amounts of alcohol without appearing or acting drunk can actually be a sign of alcoholism. If you or a loved one shows signs of alcoholism, look into treatment resources.

Myth: People who relapse after drug and alcohol recovery are hopeless cases.
It can be discouraging when relapse occurs after successful treatment of substance abuse, but this isn’t the end of the road. Addiction is a treatable disease, and if relapse occurs, individuals have to begin treatment again. It’s not uncommon for people to have to go through treatment for addiction more than once.

Myth: Addiction is a bad choice.
Addiction is a disease, not a choice. It has physical symptoms, just like any other disease. People who choose to stop abusing drugs and alcohol experience withdrawal and may suffer painful, debilitating side effects. It takes support and treatment to overcome addiction, and it isn’t just a matter of having stronger willpower or making better choices in life.

Myth: After recovery, addicts are back to “normal.”
Most addicts require various forms of treatment and therapy throughout life. Addiction treatment isn’t a simple cure. Many addicts continue going to forms of group therapy and counseling on an ongoing basis. In addition, the effects of abuse of drug and alcohol can have permanent effects on the brain and body.

Myth: Legal drugs are helpful.
Over the counter and prescription drugs provided by doctors can be just as addictive as illegal street drugs. Prescription painkillers can be highly addictive and highly dangerous, frequently leading to death from overdose, accidents and drug interactions.

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The choices you make affect everyone around you, but especially your family. The effects of addiction can spread throughout the family—affecting your parents, siblings and other loved ones. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a brain disease. Regardless of the drugs used, addiction has similar consequences. When considering reasons to get help, think about how your addiction may be affecting those who love you.

Guilt
Your parents feel responsible for your well being. Because they love you and want to protect you, they will question how they have allowed you to develop an addiction. They may wonder if they paid enough attention to early warning signs or put enough limitations on your behavior. Or it could be that they fought hard to intervene but were not able to help. Regardless of the circumstances, your parents and loved ones carry guilt and blame themselves to a certain extent.

Enabling
In some situations, your parents and siblings may enable your addiction. They may willfully ignore your problems or play them down. They might make excuses for your behavior or brush things off as a phase. They may be hesitant to address the addiction directly, worried about the stigma or the rough road ahead. Enabling is one of the major ways your addiction isn’t just about you. Drugfree.org offers true stories to help families with loved ones suffering drug and alcohol addictions.

Behavior
Addiction affects your mood and the way you treat the people around you. Since your family probably spends the most time around you, they’re going to catch the brunt of your moods. Your addiction may lead you to steal, to lie, to perform poorly in school and to withdraw from the people who care about you. Your parents, siblings and friends may be hurt by your behavior. They may feel betrayed or angry. They will feel helpless and will wonder how to help you and how to repair your relationship.

Responsibility
Your family must rally around you to help you overcome drug addiction through professional treatment. This can be a scary step for families to take, but it’s ultimately necessary to help you heal. While you are ultimately responsible for your own behavior, your family will be involved in supporting you through a lifetime of recovery. Family members may go through a process of healing as they come to terms with your addiction and learn how to help you and how to help themselves.

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a coalition of members of the community who strive to address alcohol and drug use in Pinellas County. Visit us online today to see how you can get involved in this cause that is so important to our community.

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Alcoholism ruins lives, separates families and couples, and can alienate its victims from their friends and loved ones. Regardless of speculations and critics, and the lighthearted way it is shown in the media, it is a very harmful disease. However, alcoholism is not something that happens overnight. You don’t wake up one morning and become an alcoholic—it develops over time. The more you depend on alcohol to “have a good time,” to “relax,” or to feel better about your own shortcomings, the more your body becomes dependent on it.

If you know the subtle signs of alcoholism ahead of time, it’s easier to face and confront a potential problem before it gets worse. The sooner the disease is caught and treated, the better.

Signs of Alcoholism

• An increased tolerance
• Growing preoccupation with drinking (planning recreational time around it)
• Drinking alone
• Lying about the amount of consumption
• Drinking before activities where there will be drinking
• Mood changes when drinking (“good” or “bad”)
• Changes in behavior while drinking (doing things out of character)
• Memory loss
• Lack of control over drinking (not knowing when to stop or slow down)
• Missing work or school, or a decrease in performance

According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, some people are more likely to become dependent on alcohol. Those at the highest risk:

• Are under peer pressure, especially teens and college-aged students
• Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia
• Have easy access to alcohol
• Have low self-esteem or problems with relationships
• Live a stressful lifestyle

If you witness any of these signs in a friend, a loved one, or yourself, don’t brush them off. The sooner an alcohol problem is dealt with, the better. Initially, just expressing concern about the level of drinking is a good starting point. Research has shown that compassion and empathy are the most effective methods for dealing with someone who shows signs of alcoholism or who may be dealing with an alcohol problem.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “the ideal approach is to help people realize how much their alcohol use is harming their life, and the lives of those around them.”

Studies show a more positive response from alcoholics who have a supportive group of family members, friends, and employers who are not only honest with them about their concerns, but also try to help them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals.

If you or a loved one is suffering from or showing early signs of alcoholism, help is available. Find more information on our website by clicking here: Livefree!

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

U.S. National Library of Medicine

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