Adolescent boys who drink, smoke and use drugs are more influenced by environmental factors (family and friends), while in girls of these ages the genetic factor is the main factor that increases the risk of deterioration and addiction to drinking and drugs
Yonat Ophir, special to the "Hidan" site
Direct link to this page: https://www.hayadan.org.il/drugabuse1.html
Adolescent boys who drink, smoke and use drugs are more influenced by environmental factors (family and friends), while in girls of these ages the genetic factor is the main factor that increases the risk of deterioration and addiction to drinking and drugs.
This is according to a study conducted at the University of Virginia in the field of human genetics by researcher Judy L. Silberg.
"Our findings show that the risk factors for addiction in adolescence vary between boys and girls.
In girls, the genetic factor had a decisive effect on all types of addiction. For boys, environmental factors such as a dysfunctional family and the influence of friends who are themselves addicted to drugs and alcohol had the decisive influence.
Silberg and her research colleagues collected the data during three years of research on 1,071 adolescent twin pairs, girls and boys, aged 17-12.
A statistical analysis of the findings showed that the blame should not be placed on a certain risk factor that causes addiction in teenagers. Environmental and genetic factors were found to be influential in both boys and girls, but the extent of their influence varied between boys and girls.
The results of the study can help in the treatment of addicted boys and girls.
Since addiction in girls is mainly controlled by genes related to social behavior, the effective treatment will be to focus on behavior problems and social (and anti-social) problems. For boys, the effective treatment can be a way of focusing on the care of the immediate family and influential friends.
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