Knowing Your Family History Helps in Recovery Treatment
As scientists unravel the makeup of our DNA, more and more diseases are found to have a genetic component. This finding could eventually help practitioners determine why one person succumbs to disease and another does not. The same thing is happening with psychological and behavioral conditions: Research is turning up genetic factors that may be used to determine who is at risk for these conditions.
As yet, science has not provided definitive proof that DNA predetermines a condition like an addiction. However, research is showing that family history may reveal genetic and environmental risk factors for addiction, and this knowledge could be invaluable for recovery treatment.
Conditions that Show Family Linkage
Alcoholism and addictive behaviors are often said to run in families, although there is little scientific evidence of this. It may be a combination of genetic predisposition and family patterns of social behavior and poorly developed coping skills that account for substance abuse in relatives. Addiction treatment professionals recognize the need for dual-diagnosis treatment when conditions like the following are present in someone who has entered a rehab program:
- Physical illnesses like diabetes and other autoimmune disorders. These conditions have long been recognized as running in families. Often, individuals who are caught up in substance abuse neglect their health and are unaware of the early warning signs of such diseases.
- Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and psychotic illnesses. These conditions may have led to addiction or stemmed from it. For recovery to be effective and lasting, these conditions must be recognized and treated, too. Often, a family history can indicate the possible presence of such conditions.
- Other behavioral conditions like eating disorders, compulsive behaviors, gambling addiction, and anxiety. These disorders may occur in related individuals and often accompany substance abuse.
Treatment Matching at Coast to Coast Recovery
The addiction treatment specialists at Coast to Coast know how important it is to find the right treatment program the first time. To aid them in identifying the best fit for you, they use a special treatment matching protocol. The first step is a detailed assessment of your substance abuse profile, mental health status, personality, and other factors such as a family history of disease and disorders that could affect your health and behavior.
With this information, Coast to Coast is able to recommend a customized rehab plan designed around your needs. Call 800-210-8229 to speak directly with our staff, or submit an online inquiry and we will contact you to begin the enrollment process.
