Video Length: 2:12
Transcript:
[Music] [Dr. Jack Stein speaking] We asked you to send us some questions by video, and we’re going to answer them live, right in front of you, with some of our scientists here. So, we’ve got--let’s go to our first question, that we’ve got, right now on this hour. And it’s from Cyril, who is in Saint Francis High School in Minnesota, and let’s hear what Cyril has to say. [Cyril speaking] Is drug dependency genetic? [Dr. Jack Stein speaking] Thanks for that question Cyril. To answer it we’ve got Dr. Maureen with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Thanks for being here. Dr. Maureen Boyle speaking] My pleasure. [Dr. Jack Stein speaking] And Cyril’s question has to do with drug addiction and its relationship to genetics. Can you help us answer? [Dr. Maureen Boyle speaking] Exactly. So, about 50 percent of the risk for addiction is genetic, and the other 50 percent is environmental. So, it’s things like stress, your family, and your friends, and how much access you have to drugs. Wow, so, half the chance is related to genetics. So, what does that mean, then, in terms of the likelihood of doing something about preventing having a drug problem or getting it treated? What that means is, even if you do have a genetic risk for addiction, there are things that you can do to shore up that other 50 percent. So, having strong family relationships, having friends that don’t do drugs, having, you know, access to activities and community activities that can protect you from the risk of drug use. [Dr. Jack Stein speaking] So, just because it may, quote unquote, run in one’s family, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to develop a problem. There are things you can do to prevent it, and there are certainly things we can do to help people who have problems. [Dr. Maureen Boyle speaking] Exactly. There are well-designed prevention interventions that address these factors that have been shown clearly to prevent drug abuse and addiction. [Dr. Jack Stein speaking] Terrific. Hey, thanks for being with us today.