Two Kids, One Bottle, Vastly Different Response
Best friends Eric and Thomas are 14 years old. They are from upper-middle-class families. They make good grades,
…
5 thoughts on “Addiction: Nature versus Nurture”
Join the Conversation!
We invite you to share your thoughts and tell us what you think in this public forum. Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. A first name or pseudonym is required and will be displayed with your comment. Your email address is also required, but will be kept private. (Please note that we use gravatars here, which are tied to your email address.) A website/blog/twitter address is optional.
Great article.
great description of etiology of addiction.
with regard to higher prevalence of substance use disorder among patient with mental illnesses, some scientist raise the possibility of common genetic vulnerability for both mental illnesses, personality characteristics and substance use disorders.
Thanks for sharing this article—it’s definitely worth reading. When approaching addiction recovery as part of “whole health and wellness” it is essential to recognize both factors influenced by genetics and by nature. At our facility, we understand addiction as a physical change in our bodies that makes us depend on a substance. Thorough detox can help weaken the “nature” of addiction; however, it is not the final solution.
In order to follow a solid addiction recovery plan, individuals must be “nurtured”—through counseling, support groups, self-exploration, etc. Gaining both mental and physical strength in drug or alcohol rehabilitation can give individuals the tools they need to prevent relapse into what may seem like a very natural inclination.
Very nice article! I’ve always been aware of genetics being a huge factor in higher risks of addiction development but I never realized they could also lower them! I can assume that’s how Europeans are able to appreciate the drink rather than chug it down since they’re exposed to it and learn to appreciate it rather than view it as an indulgence.
Harrison –
That’s a great outlook and cultural impact on addiction deserves more attention. However, it’s extremely important to recognize that not every substance is even worth experimenting with. While genetics may play a role in how our bodies develop dependencies on substances, there are many substances that no individual should use casually. Propagating the idea that our genetics may make us “safe” from addiction could lead many to abuse dangerous drugs.