Angelina Tadros
November 25, 2025
Dr. Barbato
Genetics Blog #4
Understanding The Genetics Behind Addiction
A recent NIH study talks about a study done, funded by Washington University, that discovers genetic markers commonly inherited across multiple different substance use disorders (SUDs) by analyzing genomic data from over 1 million people. The researchers connected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with general addiction risk, as well as substance specific risk for alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and opioids. The study emphasizes the role of dopamine regulation in addiction, reflecting that variations in genes controlling dopamine signalling, rather than dopamine itself, are central to risk. These discoveries give good insight into commonalities across SUDs and reinforce the potential for personalized prevention and treatment strategies.
Addiction not only has a genetic factor but also significantly impacts brain function, specifically in areas such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for judgement and impulse control. This explains why many people struggle trying to break their addiction. Functional Imaging studies like, fMRI and PET scans, show that the brains of people with SUDs show altered activity in the reward system, specifically in the nucleus accumbens part where dopamine releases signals pleasure. Abuse of drugs floods this system with dopamine, creating a higher and higher tolerance over time and increasing cravings to get the original high (that won't ever be reached again), even as natural rewards are less pleasurable. Imaging data from a similar source also reveals while substance use alters brain function, recovery is possible. Abstinence and interventions like physical exercise can help restore neural activity and improve executive functioning. Figure 1 below shows proof of the restoration of brain function as a result of continued abstinence.
Figure 1
Studying both genetics and brain imaging shows how some people inherit genetic variations in the genes that control dopamine signaling, which can affect how the brain's reward system responds and increase their risk of developing some sort of an addiction. Knowing a person’s genetic risk and how substance use affects the brain can help personalized prevention measures and treatments. This study confirms although substance abuse damages/alters the brain, it is possible to recover. This hopefully gives hope to those who struggle that they are not too far gone. I learned it is important to know your genetic risks in order to give yourself a head start on prevention and personalized care, genetics affect risk but don’t predict a person's future if you are in the know.
Sources
Picture+other source: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/recovery-101/brain-in-recovery/
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