Science AMA Series: I’m Dr. Wilson Compton, I study the epidemiology of
drug abuse and addiction, the role that genes play in addiction, and how
personalized medicine might one day be used to wean peop
Abstract
Hi Reddit! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to attribute our compulsion for
addictive damaging activities, such as overeating, taking illicit drugs
or smoking, wholly to our genetic make-up? Then, we would have a clear
explanation for these complex behaviors. Yet, environmental influences
shape and are shaped by our genetic predispositions. A key issue is that
we know that certain behaviors are bad for us but we still do them. Why?
My research explores the latest public health and brain research behind
addictive behavior. Personalized medicine provides plenty of research
linking genetics and disease. But establishing a relationship between
genetic variation and behavior is trickier. From these genetic and
environmental perspectives, how do we understand and explain the recent
epidemic of opioid overdose deaths? First prescription opioid deaths
increased in the USA and more recently heroin deaths have markedly
increased. How do biological and environmental factor explain how these
two epidemics are related to one another? What can be done to address
these serious health issues? Genetics plays a key role but is only one
part of the puzzle. Environments, including intrauterine, early
childhood, school, neighborhood and broad social settings, all play a
key role in determining addiction outcomes. The three strands of
biological, psychological and social elements working together is key to
both understanding and intervening to prevent or treat addictions. This
AMA is facilitated by the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS) as part of their Annual Meeting Wilson Compton, MD,
Deputy Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Md.
Understanding Vulnerability to Substance Addictions I will be back at 3
pm EST (12 pm PST, 8 pm UTC) to answer your questions, Ask Me Anything!