الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 153 |  |  |
| | | from | 153 | | |
Abstract
Substance abuse indicates improper unlawful use of illegal substances, drugs and\or prescription medications with potential harmful (medical, financial and emotional) consequences to the individual and society in the form of intoxication and health complications, family disintegration, loss of employment and crime. Many people try illicit drugs, however, only a fraction develop physiological dependence hinting that addiction is a likely result of both genetic and environmental influences and that users who develop a dependence on a particular drug likely have an underlying vulnerability to addiction. A growing number of genes are significantly associated or have evidence of linkage with generalized or specific drug addictions. Genetic testing at an early age may be an effective preventive strategy to reduce or eliminate pathological substance and behavioral seeking activity. Pharmacogenetics lead to improved cessation rates by allowing physicians to select medications for individuals based on genetic factors that predispose to treatment success or failure rather than on a trial and error basis. And this will result in a significant reduction in the cost of treatment incurred by the governments in the treatment of these patients annually.