Polymorphisms of the DRD2 , ANKK1 , DAT1 , DBH , and DRD4 genes have been found to moderate the effects of pharmacotherapy  of alcohol , opioid , and cocaine use disorders .
The integration of genetic information with clinical data will inform health professionals of the most efficacious pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders .
Substance use disorders have significant personal , familial , and societal consequences .
Despite the serious consequences of substance use , only a few therapies are effective in treating substance use disorders , thus highlighting a need for improved treatment practice s. Substance use treatment response depends on multiple factors such as genetic , biological , and social factors .
It is essential that each component is represented in treatment plans .
The dopaminergic system plays a critical role in the pharmacotherapy for addictions , and an underst and ing of the role of variation of genes involved in this system is essential for its success .
Genetic variants altering dopamine D2 receptor expression or function modulate the risk of opiate addiction and the dosage requirements of methadone substitution
Aim Addictive behavior is importantly mediated by mesolimbic dopaminergic signaling . Here , we comprehensively analyzed the DRD2 gene locus , and in addition , the ANKK1 rs1800497C > T single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) , formerly known as ‘ dopamine D2 receptor Taq1A C > T polymorphism ' , for associations with the risk of opiate addiction and the methadone dosage requirements . Methods Allelic frequencies of  DRD2/ANKK1  polymorphisms were compared between 85 methadone-substituted Caucasian patients and a r and om sample of 99 healthy Caucasian controls . Within patients , the average and maximum daily methadone dose during the first year of treatment and the time when that maximum dose was reached were analyzed for an association with DRD2/ANKK1 genetics . Results Compared with the control group , drug users carried more frequently the minor allele of DRD2 SNP rs1076560G > T SNP ( P=0.022 , odds ratio 2.343 ) or the ATCT haplotype of DRD2 rs1799978A > G , rs1076560G > T , rs6277C > T , ANKK1 rs1800497C > T ( P=0.048 , odds ratio 2.23 ) , with similar tendencies for ANKK1 rs1800497C > T ( P=0.056 , odds ratio 2.12 ) and the TCCTCTT haplotype of DRD2 rs12364283T > C , rs1799732C del , rs4648317C > T , rs1076560G > T , rs6275C > T , rs6277C > T , and ANKK1 rs1800497C > T ( P=0.059 , odds ratio 2.31 ) . The average and maximum daily methadone doses were significantly associated with the DRD2 rs6275C > T SNP ( P=0.016 and 0.005 for average and maximum dose , respectively ) . Carriers of the variant rs6275 T allele needed higher methadone doses than noncarriers . In addition , this variant was associated with a longer time to reach the maximum methadone dose ( P=0.025 ) . Conclusion On the basis of an analysis spanning the whole gene locus , from the DRD2 promoter to the ANKK1 rs1800497C > T polymorphism , DRD2 genetic polymorphisms modulate both the risk of opiate addiction , leading to the necessity of methadone substitution therapy , and the course of this therapy in terms of dosage requirements
Polymorphisms of the DRD2 , ANKK1 , DAT1 , DBH , and DRD4 genes have been found to moderate the effects of pharmacotherapy  of alcohol , opioid , and cocaine use disorders .
The integration of genetic information with clinical data will inform health professionals of the most efficacious pharmacotherapeutic intervention for substance use disorders .
Substance use disorders have significant personal , familial , and societal consequences .
Despite the serious consequences of substance use , only a few therapies are effective in treating substance use disorders , thus highlighting a need for improved treatment practice s. Substance use treatment response depends on multiple factors such as genetic , biological , and social factors .
It is essential that each component is represented in treatment plans .
The dopaminergic system plays a critical role in the pharmacotherapy for addictions , and an underst and ing of the role of variation of genes involved in this system is essential for its success .