Most people will encounter alcohol or other substances at some point in their lives. For many, that use remains occasional and manageable. For others, it becomes something far more disruptive. Understanding why that difference exists — why substance use leads to severe challenges for some but not for most — has become a central question in addiction research. The answers appear to lie in the complex interaction between our genes and our environments, unfolding over time from childhood into adulthood.

By identifying genetic risk factors and tracing how they shape mental health and addiction outcomes across the lifespan, researchers hope to improve both prevention and treatment. Here to explore that work is Dr. Danielle Dick, director of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center