Genetic and environmental dynamics to drug addiction

Abstract

Drug addiction, relating to both licit and illicit substances, can be defined as an enduring disorder with certain chances of reversion categorised as uncontrollable drug consumption or the obsessive seeking and taking of drugs despite adverse consequences. It is a multifaceted complicated disorder with many inter-related causes, as well as neurobiological, environmental and genetic features. Genetic mutations and polymorphisms can be considered as reasons for instabilities in human regulatory systems like brain functioning, which lead to drug addiction. Environmental stimuli such as anxiety, stress and depression also play a crucial role in a person’s addictive behaviours. Therefore, addiction to drugs is caused by neuro-adaptive changes and genetic-environment interactional modifications.