Study Finds Shared Genetic Signals Tying Addiction Risk to Lower Educational Attainment

Overview

• The paper, published in Addiction and led by Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, analyzed genomic data from people with substance use disorders involving cocaine, opiates, cannabis or sedatives.
• Researchers identified a subset of genetic variants where higher liability for addiction aligned with a greater likelihood of lower educational attainment.
• The same variant set was also associated with poorer health metrics and worse socioeconomic outcomes, indicating broader pleiotropic effects.
• Authors emphasized that the study detects shared genetic influences rather than a proven causal pathway and called for replication given the modest, clinical sample.
• PTI reporting cited an estimate that the genetic link could raise substance use disorder risk by up to 66%, a study-specific figure presented with limited context that warrants independent confirmation.