Q: Is there a gene that is responsible for drug addiction? I have heard that researchers have found this, but I am not sure if this is true.
A: Researchers have not yet identified a specific gene that is responsible for drug addiction, or even a gene that is responsible for an addiction to alcoholism. This does not mean that genes aren't relevant and important, but with many complex disorders such as drug addiction, many genes need to act together with factors in the environment for the disorder to come into existence.
Recent research conducted at the National Institute on Drug Abuse has identified 89 genes of our 30,000 or so genes that seem linked to drug abuse and dependence. There may even be others, but at least 89 have been identified. These researchers found that many of these genes were associated with addiction to several different drugs, which suggests that genes that predispose someone to addiction do this, because they affect basic brain processes that include nerve connections and how the brain handles information.
So in answer to your question, there does not appear to be any one gene responsible for drug addiction, but rather numerous genes that increase one's vulnerability to become addicted to drugs. And again, these genes need to encounter certain environmental factors for this vulnerability to come into existence.
I must also say that genetic research is a blossoming field, and over time, I am sure there will be more information we learn about the genetic roots of addiction.
Q: My daughter-in-law is pregnant and continues to smoke cigarettes. My question is whether she should try the nicotine patch or nicotine gum. Wouldn't this be better than smoking?
A: You ask a great question, and the first thing I must say is that she should speak with her physician who is following her for her pregnancy and take the advice of this person. That said, a recent study in Denmark suggested that women who use the patch or gum during pregnancy do not increase the risk of having a stillbirth and that nicotine replacement could be considered for such people.
In this study, researchers collected data on nicotine replacement therapy and smoking on about 87,000 pregnant women. Among the women who reported using nicotine replacement, 14 percent had not smoked during their pregnancy, 30 percent quit completely, and 56 percent continued to smoke.
The researchers found that smokers who did not use nicotine replacement therapy, whether gum or the patch, during pregnancy had a 46 percent higher risk of having a stillbirth. While these findings are encouraging, each woman who is pregnant should discuss the pros and cons of using nicotine replacement therapy with their own physician before beginning this.
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Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take the First Step, c/o The Eagle-Tribune, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; or send e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking...and You May Not Need to Quit."
