Is Alcoholism Genetic or Hereditary: Questions and Answers
There’s an age-old debate about nature versus nurture. Many people wonder if certain traits are inherited or learned. People debate if aspects of an individual’s personality are coded into their genetics or if they’re shaped by their environment. Many people who have a family history of addiction may worry that they’re destined to be addicts themselves.
But, even if they do become addicts, recovery is possible. At Twilight Recovery, we help people overcome substance addiction and lead healthier lives.
Can a Person’s Genetics Put Them at Risk for Alcoholism?
A person’s genetics can significantly influence their risk for alcoholism. Research indicates that genetic factors account for about 50% of the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Specific genes can affect how alcohol is metabolized, the brain’s reward system, and the individual’s response to alcohol. For instance, variations in the ADH1B and ALDH2 genes, which encode enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, can affect drinking behaviors.
Furthermore, genes linked to neurotransmitter systems, such as GABRA2 and DRD2, play roles in alcohol dependence.
That said, the genes a person inherits are only part of why people develop AUD. Environmental factors such as upbringing, social influences, and stress contribute significantly. As such, while there is a genetic risk for alcoholism, it does not determine their fate, highlighting the complex interplay between genetic and environmental influences on alcohol use disorder.
Is There a Specific Gene That Can Make a Person Addicted to Alcohol?
There isn’t a single gene that can make a person addicted to alcohol. Instead, multiple genes may contribute to the risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Key genes involved include those that influence a person’s metabolism. Variants in these genes can affect how alcohol is processed and how it impacts the body.
Can Environmental Factors Cause Alcohol Use Disorder?
Another reason why it may seem as if some people have a genetic predisposition for alcohol abuse and alcoholism is that many substance use disorders are caused by mental illness, which is hereditary. Individuals with a family history of mental illness are more likely to become mentally ill themselves.
As people develop mental health conditions, they may turn to the same coping mechanisms used by close family members. This is especially true if the mentally ill family member that they grew up with was a parent. Essentially, a person inherits a mental health condition from a family member, and they turn to the same coping mechanisms as that family member.
So, it’s not necessarily just a person’s genes that make them susceptible to alcohol abuse. Genes play a role, but environmental factors also influence whether or not a person becomes addicted to alcohol or any other substance for that matter.
Risk Factors for Alcohol Addiction
While a person’s genetic makeup does contribute to them developing an alcohol addiction, several social and environmental factors can also increase the risk of developing an alcohol addiction.
For example, if a person is exposed to alcohol at an early age, they may become more prone to alcohol misuse later in life. Speaking of exposure to alcohol, peer pressure, which has nothing to do with genetics, can have a strong influence on whether a person drinks alcohol or not.
Related to peer pressure are cultural attitudes towards drinking. In some communities, drinking is not just seen as normal, but it’s seen as something that everyone participates in. Not drinking can signify that someone is not part of the community, and they may face some level of ostracization.
It also can’t be ignored that alcohol is relatively easy to acquire. In contrast to illicit substances like cocaine, which are illegal to possess, or prescription medication, which require a doctor’s note to acquire, alcohol is easy to obtain.
Beyond societal factors, there’s also stress. A person can feel overwhelming stress either because of their work or personal life and may use alcohol as a means of coping with that stress.
Can a Person Overcome Alcohol Abuse if They Have a Genetic Predisposition to It?
A person can overcome alcohol abuse even if they have a genetic predisposition to it. While a person’s genetic makeup can increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder, it does not determine one’s fate. Effective treatment and support can help individuals manage and overcome alcohol addiction.
Therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and contingency management can be highly effective. Medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram can also aid in the recovery process by reducing cravings and managing withdrawal symptoms.
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can provide community and foster accountability, which are crucial for long-term recovery. Furthermore, lifestyle changes, including stress management techniques, regular exercise, and healthy social connections, can help make a person more resilient against relapse.
While being genetically predisposed to alcohol abuse, it does present a challenge when it comes to sobriety; a combination of professional treatment, personal commitment, and support systems can enable individuals to overcome alcohol abuse and maintain sobriety.
How Can Someone Prevent Themselves from Becoming an Alcoholic?
If you think you are a person who may be genetically predisposed to alcohol abuse, there are several steps that you can take to proactively prevent yourself from becoming an alcoholic. These steps include:
Moderation
Practice drinking in moderation. Being able to drink in moderation can help prevent you from becoming an alcoholic. While you may have an episode of binge drinking on occasion, take care not to let it become a regular occurrence. Recommended levels of alcohol consumption can help monitor drinking, and keeping within these guidelines can prevent drinking excessively.
Abstain Altogether
If you’d rather not take the risk of drinking in moderation, then you may want to consider abstaining from alcohol entirely. This means that you don’t drink at all. If you have friends or acquaintances who want to know why, then you can explain your family history of alcohol addiction. If you’d rather not explain, then remember that the word ‘no’ is a complete sentence.
See a Professional
If you’re truly concerned about the role of genetics regarding your alcohol consumption, then you may want to consider seeing a professional to help you work through your issues and develop coping mechanisms should you ever find yourself tempted to drink excessively.
Your Family History Doesn’t Have to Define You
You may be worried that you’ll find yourself going through bottle after bottle one day. Maybe a parent or someone you’re closely related to found themselves doing just that. You may worry that there’s something that’s hardwired into your DNA that makes it inevitable that you’ll become an addict.
While a family history of alcoholism may make you more likely to become an addict, it’s not set in stone. There are steps you can take to stop yourself from becoming an alcoholic.
However, in the event you do develop an addiction, it is still possible you can make a recovery from it. At Twilight Recovery, we can help you recover by giving you the care and support needed to overcome substance addiction. Contact us if you ever find yourself in a position where you’ve become dependent on a substance.