Looking past peer influence: Genetic contributions to increases in teen substance use?


Parents spend a lot of time worrying about the influence of peers on teen substance use. A new study examines if there is a genetic component that drives teens’ desire for risk taking and novelty. A key finding revealed genetic influences that are unique to the growth in substance use. With each passing year, genetic differences between individuals become more and more important in explaining why substance use increases in some adolescents but not in others.