The Genetics of Alcoholism
Does alcoholism truly run in families? If your parent is an alcoholic will you be one too? Many people have wondered at these questions and much study and research has gone into answering them. The National Institute of Alcoholism published an article titled, “Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorders” which gives some insight into these questions. (see niaa.nih.gov)
They indicate that, “alcoholism often seems to run in families, and we may hear about scientific studies of an ‘alcoholism gene.’ Genetics certainly influence our likelihood of developing alcoholism, but the story isn’t so simple.
Research shows that genes are responsible for about half of the risk for alcoholism. Therefore, genes alone do not determine whether someone will become an alcoholic. Environmental factors, as well as gene and environment interactions account for the remainder of the risk.”
They further add, “Multiple genes play a role in a person’s risk for developing alcoholism. There are genes that increase a person’s risk, as well as those that may decrease that risk, directly or indirectly. For instance, some people of Asian descent carry a gene variant that alters their rate of alcohol metabolism, causing them to have symptoms like flushing, nausea, and rapid heartbeat when they drink. Many people who experience these effects avoid alcohol, which helps protect them from developing alcoholism.”
The National Institute of Alcoholism published another article that discusses how environmental factors can impact alcoholism in children of alcoholic parents. It indicates that genes are not the only things children inherit from their parents. It points to interesting info that concludes that the ways in which parents act and how they treat each other and their children will influence alcoholic outcome. More specifically, they indicate that a person’s risk increases if he or she is in a family with the following difficulties:
1- an alcoholic parent is depressed or has other psychological problems
2- both parents abuse alcohol and other drugs
3- the parents’ alcohol abuse is severe
4- conflicts lead to aggression and violence in the family
(niaa.nih.gov)
It is encouraging that many children of alcoholics from even the most troubled families do not develop drinking problems. Growing up in a very troubled household with alcoholic parents or having a (genetic) family history of alcoholism does not guarantee that you will become an alcoholic. This is good news! It’s also important to note that just because alcoholism tends to run in one’s family, it does not mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically become an alcoholic too. Although the risk is higher, it does not have to happen.