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Genetic and environmental risk factors in the aetiology of illicit drug initiation and subsequent misuse in women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2018

Kenneth S. Kendler*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Department of Human Genetics
Laura M. Karkowski
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Linda A. Corey
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Carol A. Prescott
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Michael C. Neale
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
*
Kenneth S. Kendler, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 East Leigh Street. PO Box 980126, Richmond. VA 23298-0126. USA

Abstract

Background

Subsequent to initial exposure to the use of a psychoactive substance, psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD) may or may not develop.

Aims

To investigate the relationship between the risk factors for initiation and the subsequent misuse of psychoactive substances.

Method

The lifetime history of illicit substance use and misuse was obtained by telephone interview with 1934 members of female–female twin pairs. We apply a novel model, which estimates the role of genetic and environmental risk factors that influence initiation and those specific to misuse, to three classes of illicit psychoactive substances.

Results

The individual-specific environment and family environment influenced the probability of initiation, but only individual-specific environment had an impact on the probability of subsequent misuse. Genetic factors which influence the risk of initiation and of misuse were identified.

Conclusions

Aetiological factors that influence drug initiation and subsequent misuse are correlated but not identical. Family environment is an important determinant of risk for drug experimentation. Two classes of genetic risk factors act on the liability to PSUD: those that influence the probability of initiation and those that influence the risk of misuse.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Supported by the US National Institutes of Drug Abuse and Mental Health.

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