DNA Testing for Drug Addiction
There’s a tremendous body of research to support the fact that some level of addiction is hereditary – those who come from a family history of addiction are more likely to become addicts themselves. By some estimates, at least half of a person’s likelihood of being susceptible to drug addiction may be influenced by their DNA.
And genetic testing to identify the likelihood of developing a substance abuse disorder has become more popular and widespread in recent years.
The process of DNA testing pinpoints specific genes and their variations, which may help predict whether someone is at greater risk for drug addiction. Plus – this type of testing can help doctors understand how patients are likely to respond to various forms of treatment.
I’ve outlined below some of the key facts you should understand about DNA testing for drug addiction:
- Why DNA is so important
- How DNA testing for drug addiction works
- How precise DNA testing for drug addiction is
- How DNA testing for drug addiction fits into the drug rehab model
- What DNA testing for drug addiction ultimately means
I’ll break these down into more detail.
Table of Contents
Why DNA is so important
DNA represents the basic information that regulates our bodies’ basic cellular activity. While on average, the DNA sequence for any two random people is roughly 99.9 percent identical, the remaining .1 percent accounts for significant differences that influence everything from height, weight and hair color to – potentially – a person’s likelihood to develop a drug addiction. I
f scientists can better understand the clues hidden in patients’ DNA, they can better predict drug abuse, along with being able to design more individualized and effective treatments.
How DNA testing for drug addiction it works
The DNA testing process is extremely simple: generally it entails a quick swab of the cheek, which is sent to a laboratory for review. This analysis can include several tests for susceptibility to specific substances – for example, tests that look for likelihood of opiate addiction are fairly common across the U.S., and some tests look for increased risk of alcoholism by evaluating levels of dopamine.
When it comes to opiates specifically, scientists look for 12 different gene variants that appear in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain – also known as the brain’s reward center.
Other specific tests look to predict the chance of a positive response to various medications used in drug addiction treatment. Basically, researchers are looking for specific genes that serve as markers for a wide variety of substance abuse disorders, plus responses to treatment.
And besides giving clues as to whether someone might be susceptible to drug addition, some genetic tests hope to be able also to predict how severe that addiction is likely to be, which can help inform treatment.
How precise is DNA testing for drug addiction?
At this point, not as precise as researchers would like. In recent years, scientists have identified several “addiction genes,” which appear more often in those with various substance addictions. But DNA sequencing technology isn’t foolproof.
While the results of genetic sequencing studies offer a wealth of information that’s great for statistical predictions, they may not be as applicable on an individual basis. While genetics can be an important indicator of future addiction, they certainly aren’t the only one – there are tons of other environmental variables at play, including lifestyle choices, exposure to stressful events and many, many more.
To further complicate matters, those who are told they have a predisposition for addictive behaviors often become self-fulfilling prophecies, assuming they have less agency over their choices and their lives. Whatever its benefits, genetic testing isn’t a magic bullet when it comes to preventing drug addiction in individuals.
How DNA testing for drug addiction fits into the drug rehab model
Many times, DNA testing can help doctors better understand their patients, which lets them develop more personalized and specific drug addiction recovery programs. So while genetic testing isn’t a magical answer, it may continue to be an important component in the overall drug addiction recovery process.
As of now, it’s a powerful complement to a comprehensive clinical assessment led by addiction professionals.
For example, many patients who battle alcohol addiction will show a variant of a gene called OPRM1, which is a marker of a greater risk of developing many types of addiction – plus being especially vulnerable to relapse. Once a physician and/or drug addiction treatment program understands this, they can adjust the patient’s drug addiction treatment and even her relapse prevention strategies accordingly.
They may even be able to predict which medications that block opioid receptors in the brain are most likely to be effective at curbing cravings.
What DNA testing for drug addiction ultimately means
Most experts are in agreement that it isn’t safe to put too much faith in genetic testing alone – at least not today. While DNA testing for drug addiction can yield valuable information, it’s part of an overall comprehensive approach to treating drug addiction.
And if you’re trying to use DNA testing to predict drug addiction, that’s also a dangerous game. While some people may be genetically predisposed to drug addiction, that’s not the end of the story.
Your environment and your pattern for handling stress are also extremely powerful in influencing drug addiction. Just because your genetic code displays a certain marker doesn’t mean you have no control over your own life and your likelihood of developing a drug addiction.
Reference Article :
Conclusion
At the end of the day, drug addiction is complicated – influenced by a wide variety of factors, some physical, some genetic, some psychological or emotional and some environmental. And cracking the literal code on the biological piece is an important scientific undertaking.
The more we learn about how genetic sequencing can help prevent and treat drug addiction, the more powerful and effective general drug addiction treatment and rehab can become. The research remains in early stages, but DNA testing may continue to play an important role in helping people triumph over drug addiction and live healthy and drug-free lives.
In the meantime, if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we hope you’ll reach out to our team at Freedom House. Our professional and compassionate team stands ready to listen and to advise on a path to recovery. So don’t wait – call us today.