Ks. Kendler et al., Genetic and environmental risk factors in the aetiology of illicit drug initiation and subsequent misuse in women, BR J PSYCHI, 175, 1999, pp. 351-356
Background Subsequent to initial exposure to the use of a psychoactive subs
tance, psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD;) may or may not develop.
Aims To investigate the relationship between the risk factors for initiatio
n and the subsequent misuse of psychoactive substances.
Method The lifetime history of illicit substance use and misuse was obtaine
d 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 thr
ee classes of illicit psychoactive substances.
Results The individual-specific environment and family environment influenc
ed the probability of initiation, but only individual-specific environment
had an impact on the probability of subsequent misuse. Genetic factors whic
h influence the risk of initiation and of misuse were identified.
Conclusions Aetiological factors that influence drug initiation and subsequ
ent misuse are correlated but not identical. Family environment is an impor
tant determinant of risk fdr drug experimentation. Two classes of genetic r
isk factors act on the liability to PSUD: those that influence the probabil
ity of initiation and those that influence the risk of misuse.
Declaration of interest Supported by the US National Institutes of Drug Abu
se and Mental Health.