Genetics of alcoholism and substance abuse

Twin studies have demonstrated that addictive disorders are genetically and environmentally influenced. Our knowledge of behavioral differences predis posing to addiction is advancing rapidly, particularly in alcoholism but al so in the other addictions, through studies on animals and humans. Recently , linkage analyses in humans and rodents have pointed to genomic regions ha rboring genes which influence addiction or drug-associated behaviors. There is increasing evidence that the addictions have common as well as distinct neurobiological pathways. These advances in the understanding of the genet ics of addictive disorders should facilitate the development of specific ph armacotherapies and the more accurate targeting of therapies using molecula r diagnostic approaches.