HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

How much more likely is the child of a drug addict to develop an addiction himself, even if he was adopted away as a baby?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Susan Uhrich answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

There is a genetic: Component to most illnesses that we humans can get, and that component is substantial in addiction. The child of an addict is 8 times more likely to develop an addiction that someone without an addicted parent. At the same time, the incidence of heroin dependence, for instance, is only 0.03%.

Dr Altman agreed

Answered 5/7/2016

5.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Why would drs.Perscribe methadone 4 drug addicts when they use it for chronic pain patients? Just another addiction 2 get addicted too!

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

What are some self improvement techniques that a drug/alcohol addict can try on his own to overcome addiction? Without rehab

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can you help me. I have an addiction to chocolate. I cannot help myself. Please help. Distraction does not help. I behave like a drug addict.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I'm currently not addicted to drugs but I have great potential to be. I come from an extended fam of addicts. Should i see an addiction specialist?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can you tell me if a baby got addicted to drugs. Would they eventually forget their addiction?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I have 4 kids 11, 7, 3, 1 and want 3 or 4 more . Some family think i'm addicted to babies , but i don't think i'm. What qualify as baby addiction?
I'm 38 weeks pregnant. My dr. Is aware that I struggle with addiction. He said he will test the baby when he is born, how long does meth stay in my babies system? And if I'm clean, does the dr have the right to test the baby.
Can my addiction to drugs effect my child?
Are there things in my control that make drug addiction more likely?
Can you please tell me some good ways to get someone to intervene in a drug addict's addiction?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.