Often both are involved. There are genetic markers that will be found to cluster in families with addiction that have direct links. Having those genes isn't necessarily destiny, but the heritability and activation even in separated twin studies or adoptions underscores the biological component.
Conversely, adverse or traumatic life events, periodic toxic stress, severe interpersonal or behavioral issues can also lead to addiction in individuals lacking a genetic or familial component (all of these conditioned or 'nurtured' elements have a direct material trace on the brain, especially the developing brain).
If you have both elements coming at you, it's very very difficult to cope with or overcome substance abuse on your own.
I’m curious about it as well. I think people cope in different ways and some people are more prone to seek out something chemical that stimulates their dopamine/serotonin than others. I’m partial to just wallowing. I’ll lay down and watch YouTube videos for days (which I guess in a way is maybe my addiction tbh...) my partner has addiction problems she’s a recovered alcoholic and has abused medial drugs and now catches her self over shopping and stuff like that. She has to be really mindful of her behavior bc she has patterns of seeking solace in things like that.
Maybe I’m the same I just opt for lying in bed all day and don’t need to change it...?
Thing is I've never acted like an addict in my life, not until I started to get depressed and anxious, which opened the door to me self-medicating.
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No worries. I'm curious if there's a scientific link with an "addict gene" or something we inherit or if it's something we see normalized growing up.
Often both are involved. There are genetic markers that will be found to cluster in families with addiction that have direct links. Having those genes isn't necessarily destiny, but the heritability and activation even in separated twin studies or adoptions underscores the biological component.
Conversely, adverse or traumatic life events, periodic toxic stress, severe interpersonal or behavioral issues can also lead to addiction in individuals lacking a genetic or familial component (all of these conditioned or 'nurtured' elements have a direct material trace on the brain, especially the developing brain).
If you have both elements coming at you, it's very very difficult to cope with or overcome substance abuse on your own.
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I’m curious about it as well. I think people cope in different ways and some people are more prone to seek out something chemical that stimulates their dopamine/serotonin than others. I’m partial to just wallowing. I’ll lay down and watch YouTube videos for days (which I guess in a way is maybe my addiction tbh...) my partner has addiction problems she’s a recovered alcoholic and has abused medial drugs and now catches her self over shopping and stuff like that. She has to be really mindful of her behavior bc she has patterns of seeking solace in things like that.
Maybe I’m the same I just opt for lying in bed all day and don’t need to change it...?