BIOLOGICAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
Just as genetic makeup
(biology) and environment vary from person to person, the way they interact
creates a unique combination of risk factors for individuals. Although the genes people inherit are out of
their control, it is possible for people to take control of the environment and
how they deal with that environment.
Addressing risk factors can reduce chances of developing or worsening
substance use, problem gambling and mental health issues.
Biological Risk Factors
People can inherit from
their parents’ genes that make them more or less likely to develop substance
use, problem gambling or mental health problems. Although the likelihood of developing one of
these problems if one or both parents have the problem is not 100%, people
whose parents have substance use, problem gambling or mental health problems
may be at greater risk for developing them themselves. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic
and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (1994) provides
information regarding the increased risk for developing the mental health,
gambling and substance use problems that will be discussed in this manual. As can be seen in the table below, there is
an increased occurrence of these disorders for individuals who have a
firstdegree biological relative (i.e., close relatives like parents and
siblings) with the disorder as compared with people in the general population
(i.e., who do not have first-degree biological relatives with the
disorder).
was attributable to genes
that influence both disorders. These
genetic studies strongly suggest an overlap in the genetically transmitted
vulnerability of both substance use and problem gambling disorders. One example of a biological factor that might
contribute to risk for developing a substance use or gambling problem is
differences in brain chemistry that make certain people more vulnerable to the
effects of gambling, drugs or alcohol.
Other biologically
influenced characteristics such as personality traits, gender, and ethnicity
also may affect how susceptible people are to substances of abuse and gambling
and how likely they are to become addicted to them. For example, some personality traits such as
antisocial personality and impulsivity are associated with increased risk for
gambling, alcohol and drug problems.
Females tend to be affected more by alcohol and/or drugs because of
their body size and composition. In terms
of ethnicity, many people of Asian descent tend to have negative reactions to
alcohol and, therefore, tend not to drink it as much. As a result, they have reduced risk for
alcohol problems when compared to other ethnic groups.
Although it is not
possible to choose one’s parents and the genes inherited from them, it is important
to remember that genes are not everything a person is. People may inherit a predisposition to
thinking, acting, and feeling certain ways, but it is possible that people can
change the ways they behave and feel and think.
Additionally, people can exert a great deal of control over the environments in which
they live and work, and, as the next section discusses, the environment can
play a large role in how likely people are to develop mental health, problem
gambling and substance use issues.
Environmental Risk
Factors
Most often environmental
risks involve some kind of stressor for the individual. Stress may include life stressors, the
relationships people maintain, and their health. Stress can influence how likely it is that
people will develop problem gambling,
substance use and mental health issues.
Likewise, gambling, substance use and mental health problems can become
risk factors for each other. In other
words, using substances can influence gambling and both substance use and gambling
can influence mental health. Likewise,
mental health can influence how likely people are to gamble or use
substances.
Stress
In a more general sense,
stress can be the result of trying to deal with negative things in the
environment. When people cannot adapt to
stress, they become more prone to developing, or making worse, substance use,
gambling or mental health difficulties, particularly if they are also at risk
biologically. Types of stress include the
following:
Life stressors:
• Work (loss of
employment, problems at work, new job)
• Moving to a new place
• Money (being unable to
pay bills or having more money than usual)
• Being a victim of abuse
or other crime
• Housing problems
(losing one’s home)
• Legal problems
Co-Occurring Disorders
Relationships:
• Death of a loved one
• Divorce, separation,
remarrying
• Parenting (difficulties
raising/caring for one’s children or having
unresolved parent/child
issues)
• Frequent arguments
among family members and spouse/significant other
• Having few or no
friends (lack of social support)
• Having friends who use
drugs or alcohol or gamble
• Grief
Health and Mental Health:
• Illness, injuries, or
accidents
• Not getting enough rest
or eating well
• Caring for a sick
relative or friend
• Not dealing with
feelings
• Abusing substances
• Gambling excessively
• Experiencing mental
health symptoms
An example of a risk
factor leading to mental health difficulties is the death of a spouse causing
someone to feel depressed. It is
completely normal to feel depressed from time to time, especially after the
loss of a loved one. However, as will be
discussed in upcoming modules, mental health issues that become too severe or
last longer than is normal can sometimes become mental health problems that may
require treatment. An example of a risk
factor leading to substance abuse or gambling problems is drinking or gambling
to avoid dealing with emotional problems such as feelings of depression or
drinking or gambling to cope with work stress.
SOURCE:
http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/pgs/Cooccuringworkbook.pdf
