Harvard Health Blog

Your genes and addiction

POSTED JANUARY 28, 2019, 10:30 AM
Maria Mavrikaki, PhD, Contributor

Over the last decade, the prevalence of opioid addiction has increased to epidemic levels, but unfortunately therapeutic interventions for the treatment of addiction remain limited. We need to better understand the triggers for the development of addiction in order to develop more targeted prevention and treatments. One of the key questions that researchers in the field of neuropsychiatry are trying to answer is why some people are more vulnerable to addiction.

Learn more »

Get your copy of Overcoming Addiction

Addiction can be devastating. Recent scientific advances have shaped our understanding of this common and complex problem. The good news is that there are a number of effective treatments for addiction, including self-help strategies, psychotherapy, medications, and rehabilitation programs. You can use the strategies presented in this report, Overcoming Addiction: Finding an effective path toward recovery, to discover new ways to cope with life’s difficulties.

More Blogs from Harvard Health

Dairy: Health food or health risk?

Post-hospital syndrome: Tips to keep yourself or a loved one healthy after hospitalization

Couch potatoes start early: How to get kids moving

Overcoming Addiction

Featured content:

•	The problem of addiction
•	What is addiction?
•	How people develop addiction
•	Recovering from addiction
•	Working with a therapist
•	... and more!