Can You Inherit Addiction? Understanding the Genetic Link
Can You Inherit Addiction? Studies show addiction may be passed down through genes Understanding the Genetic Link to Alcohol and Drug Dependency Addiction is often seen as a personal choice or the result of environmental pressure. But is it possible that the risk of addiction lives in your DNA? Studies increasingly suggest that addiction has a genetic component , and if your parents struggled with alcohol or drugs, your risk may be higher too. What Does Science Say About Inherited Addiction? Researchers have found that genetics account for 40–60% of a person's risk of addiction . This means if your father or mother was addicted to substances, your brain’s response to alcohol or drugs might be different from someone without that history. This doesn’t mean addiction is guaranteed, but it raises the chances significantly — especially if paired with stress, trauma, or a poor support system. How Addiction Gets Passed On Addiction affects the brain’s reward system — particula...