#15 Genetics

Genes are part of our DNA and are needed to give instructions for how to make and operate all parts and functions of our bodies. It is estimated there are over 40,000 different genes, and about one half of these affect the human brain. The knowledge that living things inherit traits has been used all through history to improve crops and domestic animals through selective breeding.

With the advent of genetic testing, this science exploded in the early 70's and researchers began to profess that genes determined our destiny. This began to raise many ethical questions. For example there were fears were that if someone's genetic code revealed a predisposition to a disease, an insurance company with this information would refuse medical coverage. The conventional view was that  since DNA carries all our inheritable information, nothing an individual could do in their lifetime could change what was inherited.

Family, twin and adoption studies have shown that alcoholism does have a genetic component. Scientist's initially looked for a particular gene to explain addiction, but now we know that multi-genes are involved.

Although genetics plays a large role in the appearance and behavior of all living things, it is the combination of genetics with the life experiences of an organism that determines the ultimate outcome. For example, while genes play a role in determining an organism's physical size, the nutrition and overall health it experiences after inception also has a large effect. 

This means that every person's life experiences re-design and affect the genes we inherited. We know now the reality of our inherited genetic makeup is not deterministic, but more likely demonstrates predisposition. About one half of addiction has some roots in a genetic predisposition. This doesn't mean that addiction is already determined for someone who inherited these genes and one is destined to be an addict. But they are more at risk. It does mean someone with the probability of inheriting these genes must use caution and be vigilant as they evaluate their use of mind altering chemicals.

One of the most exciting recent developments in understanding our brain and its relationship to behavior is something known as epigenetics. It is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code, and still get passed down to at least one successive generation. But they tell your genes to switch on or off, to speak loudly or whisper although thery do not alter them in any way.The effects can be good or bad depending on many factors:

          POSITIVELY: diet and nutrition (essential minerals and vitamins),

          meditation, exercise (running particularly) and enhancing our

          sense of belonging and identity in cultural - social - spiritual spaces

          (Posts #4, #5, #6).

  NEGATIVELY: smoking and other addictions, trauma,
  starvation, toxic chemical exposure, and dislocation (Post #7).

This means that the impact of our genetic predispositions can be modified or even shut down with healthy and balanced lifestyles.

This has all kinds of implications in recovery and helping prevent relapse. For example it has recently been shown that those that quit smoking at the same time they quit their drug of choice have a better chance of getting and staying clean and sober. Historically it was maintained that quitting one addiction at a time was stressful enough. In early recovery most recovering addicts report doubling the amount they smoked while using.

On a positive note, seeking a balanced and healthy lifestyle in addition to abstinence enhances a life of sobriety and the pursuit of emotional sobriety for those in recovery.

In my next post we will discuss children with addicted parents.