Do you believe that a child can inherit an addictive personality from their parents? Or do you think that this is a myth? The main reason I'm asking is because my friend's parents are taking her to a counselor right now to figure out whether her marijuana addiction is the result of her mother's prior issues with prescription drugs. They believe that it may be an inherited problem. I personally think she just smokes pot to rebel, but I may be wrong. What are your thoughts on this?
I do believe that it is a factor, but not the sole reason. I am a heroin addict and in my situation, my dad was a meth addict for a long time so maybe some of his personality was passed down to me. A lot of my old friends would only do heroin recreationally. Like only on some Saturday's or a couple times a month and were never physically addicted nor felt like they had to keep using and using. They could limit themselves which I can not. Also, about your friend, I don't know if I believe in a marijuana addiction. Or at least not the physical side at all. I would have to agree and say it is probably just rebellion.
I was actually quoting her parents there. I don't believe in a marijuana addiction either, and neither did the counselor that they sent her to. Yet, she was deemed to have an "addictive personality," which would put her at risk for abusing more dangerous drugs if she got her hands on them. Best of luck in curbing your addiction, however. I know that's got to be rough for you.
Yes I do think this really happens. I have that personality. Not only was I that way with booze, but most other things as well. Like eating junk food I don't know when to stop. It's all or nothing with me. My father was that way I have two brothers like that, and now my son. I am sure it's in the gene's
Indeed, there are genetic factors that may contribute to develop addictive behavior, but that not necessary make it happen, unless other influential factors are added, including but not limited to early teachings, surrounding environment, relationship between parents, and relationship of these with their children, besides external elements such as the friend pushing someone to start with abuse of a substance, or witnessing what neighbors and others do, and then trying to imitating them.
Some experts attribute 50% of addictions to genetic predisposition. While that could be true the fact is the higher risk factor is a negative environment. Having friends who are a bad influence for example could be much worse than having a parent who was an addict. If a child hangs out with friends who abuse drugs then there's a high likelihood that he or she will start experimenting and end being an addict eventually.
We know that the risk of developing drug problems is higher in children whose parents abused with drugs or alcohol. These children somehow have an inherited genetic predisposition for addiction but I don’t believe that genes write our destiny. Building a strong personality helps you overcome with ease the temptation of addiction. I have some neighbors that have managed to overcame their family addiction history and have live happy and healthy. It has strongly to do with how motivated, loved and important is a child feeling in his family and with friends.
Studies have shown that children of parents with addictions are at higher risk of falling into the same problem, so yes, it is an inherited trait. It is recommended that kids of alcoholics steer clear of alcohol to avoid the risks. You are not destined to follow the same path as your parents, but you have a predisposition to it, so you have to put in every bit of effort to avoid it.
I definitely think it is both inherited and based on the environment someone is in. If your friend was exposed to her mother's drug problem, your friend may have both the inherited and environmental factors that may be causing her to smoke pot.
I know from my own experience that when you grow up surrounded by adults who consume drugs on a regular basis, you are getting conditioned from an early age on to certain behavioral patterns. It seems perfectly normal to you. In fact, in my case, I was really surprised to find out that not every family drank and smoked on a daily basis, like mine. Also, my mother drank and smoked while she was pregnant with me. I was born with various ailments, suggesting that I suffered from mild alcohol fetal syndrome. When I started smoking at the age of 11 it felt completely natural to me. It also seemed completely natural to me to take up drinking. I was an alcoholic by the time I was 20.
Addiction can not be inherited. It depends on the availability of the drugs that the user might abuse. If your parents were addicts and you raise up in a drug free environment, you will never have the crave for drugs since you have never taken them. You only need to avoid drugs and anything that can be addictive.