Inadequate levels of 'love hormone' associated with alcohol, drug abuse

A new study has revealed that drug and alcohol addiction could be associated with poor development of the love hormone called oxytocin.

According to research by University of Adelaide, some people's lack of resilience to addictive behaviors may be linked to poor development of their oxytocin systems.

Dr Femke Buisman-Pijlman, said that its is known that newborn babies already have levels of oxytocin in their bodies, which helps to create the all-important bond between a mother and her child.

Buisman-Pijlman said that the oxytocin systems aren't fully developed when one is born, and they don't finish developing until the age of three, suggesting that their system is potentially subject to a range of both external and internal influences.

The researcher said that some risk factors for drug addiction already exist at four years of age and oytocin can reduce the pleasure of drugs and feeling of stress, but only if the system develops well.