A new study shows that siblings share a vulnerability to addiction, even if one abuses drugs and the other doesn’t. Researchers looked at pairs of siblings and healthy unrelated people and compared their brain structures and their ability to control their impulses — something that is known to be compromised among drug users. The study suggests that substance users and their non-addicted siblings share the same brain abnormalities linked with poor self-control and drug dependence.
During the study researchers found that the addicts and their siblings shared similar abnormalities in the brain, while healthy participants did not have these abnormal traits. They also observed that the siblings performed poorly when it came to tests of their self-control.
Researchers have known that the brains of people addicted to drugs differ from those of others, but it has not been clear whether this is a cause or effect of addiction. The new study shows that siblings who aren't addicted share brain abnormalities with those who are, and this suggests that brain differences are a cause of addiction rather than an effect of drug use.
These results support the idea that some individuals are predisposed to addiction but that not all those who are predisposed will become addicted. Further studies can explore why some of the predisposed end up addicted while others with the same poor self-control are able to resist. Researchers and experts will no doubt look at environment and life experience to fill in the gaps.
If you, a sibling or someone you love needs treatment for addiction, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. We are here to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
