Page 5 - My FlipBook

subsequently returned from rehab, she explained to her son that
he should not judge her for her actions any more than he would
judge a cancer patient for a tumor. He writes, “I found this patently
absurd, and Mom and I often argued over whether her newfound
wisdom was scientifi c truth or an excuse for people whose deci-
sions destroyed a family.” 14

Genetics
Vance’s mother was correct in the sense that addiction takes over
the reward center of the brain. This is a big part of what keeps
people addicted. Why they become addicted in the fi rst place,
however, does not have a single, simple answer. One contribut-
ing factor is a genetic predisposition, or an increased likelihood of
developing addiction based on a person’s genetic makeup. Ac-

Genes, which are passed from parents to children,
determine traits such as height, hair color, and eye
color. Many researchers believe that genes can
contribute to a person’s susceptibility to addiction.