Chunk #19 — RESULTS — Genetically informative research approaches and their limitations — The relationship between genetics of use and genetics of abuse/dependence?
The consistent finding of genetic overlap between stages of substance use has important implications for genetic studies of adolescent cohorts. The moderate to high extent to which genetic factors are shared across stages of substance involvement suggest that a shared predisposition plays a role in trajectories of substance use and misuse. Thus, genetic factors identified in adolescents who use a substance occasionally may well be involved in later stages of dependence.
