Which factor presents a higher risk for substance use disorder?

The higher risk for substance use disorder is indeed most closely associated with substance use in biological parents. This connection is primarily due to genetic and familial factors that predispose individuals to addiction. Studies have shown that genetic heritability plays a significant role in the development of substance use disorders. If biological parents have a history of substance use disorders, their children are more likely to carry genetic susceptibilities that may influence their own risk of developing similar issues.

While substance use in adoptive parents, prenatal exposure to substances, and environmental factors in childhood can also contribute to the risk of developing a substance use disorder, the genetic component remains a critical and predominant factor. Children often inherit genetic vulnerabilities that may predispose them to addiction, and this connection is particularly strong with biological parents due to shared genetics. Thus, the influence of biological parents is a significant predictor in the understanding of substance use disorder risk.