Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Summer 2017
Document Type
Project
Course Number
N5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
Dr. John Chovan
Keywords
opiate addiction, opiate abuse, genetic influences on addiction, genetics of addiction
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
The effects of addiction and the present opioid crisis can not only be felt at the individual level of the addict but throughout all aspects of society. From the infant born addicted to heroin, to the family members begging their loved ones to make a change, to the medical personnel with the responsibility of caring for those with drug seeking or violent behavior needing their next fix, the drug problem in America is one that can no longer be ignored. The number of unintentional drug overdoses in Ohio has grown from 411 in 2000 to a staggering 3050 in 2015, currently averaging 8 deaths per day in Ohio alone (Ohio Department of Health [ODH], 2017).
It is thought that genetic influences account for 40-60% of one’s vulnerability to addiction. These, combined with environmental influences including social, familial, work, and financial factors, help to determine the likelihood of addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). Having a strong knowledge of the genetic factors associated with an increased likelihood of addition can help the provider in decision making regarding treatment options. By identifying the genetic alterations and the effects they have on an individual, providers have the opportunity to provide individualized care targeted at those most susceptible to addiction (Levran, Yuferov, & Kreek, 2012).
Recommended Citation
Sielschott, Anne, "The Genetic Influences on Opiate Addiction" (2017). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 265.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/265