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Although genes and family history seem to play a significant role in alcohol addiction, they are far from the only factors. Alcohol use disorder ultimately develops from an interaction between alcohol and your brain chemistry. While your genes might make you more vulnerable, your behavior patterns, mental health, and life experience all play a role. Genetics and family history are the most correlated with risk of AUD; in fact, genetic risk is about half of the problem, while family history is the other half. Certainly, genetics are passed down through families, but family history also includes the environment in which one was raised. Childhood abuse, parental struggles, and mental illness in close family members all contribute to the risk of developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
In 2006, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) supported research that reviewed the human genome as part of an effort to identify Americans most at risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. Before this groundbreaking study, studies showed that alcohol abuse runs in families, but it could not point to the genetic basis of this finding. The study was possible because the Human Genome Project (2003) was able to identify every gene that exists in human DNA. Those who have a family history of alcoholism have a higher risk of developing a drinking problem.
Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder
Because of a wide range of wild symptoms that blend into each other, recognizing a dual diagnosis can be difficult. The symptoms of each can also look vastly different from one person to the next. Environmental influences are other components that can lead to alcohol addiction, either singularly or as they interact with other factors. These can be related to childhood or upbringing, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ family environment, social situations, or with a significant other. It is now appreciated that a whole spectrum of allele frequencies and
effect sizes may play roles, from common variations with small effects through
rare variants of large effect. As whole exome and whole genome sequencing
technologies come down in cost, they are being applied to identifying rare
variants.
- It is likely that, as for most complex diseases, alcohol dependence and AUDs
are due to variations in hundreds of genes, interacting with different social
environments. - Additionally, a higher alcohol tolerance may lead to more frequent and higher alcohol consumption, increasing the risk of developing alcohol use disorders.
- Some people experience a traumatizing event and turn to alcohol to self-medicate.
- Studies show that alcoholism is approximately 50% attributable to genetics.
- Now that you have a better understanding of the question “is alcoholism genetic?
For our in-network insurance partners, Iris Healing® accepts PPO, EPO, and HMO plans. We are happy to answer any questions you have related to insurance coverage for mental health and addiction treatment. For many, alcohol dependence begins early and is influenced by peer behavior.
Stress
In some people, a variant with reduced activity is present, resulting in more severe symptoms of intoxication. On the other hand, people who can tolerate comparatively large amounts of alcohol are at risk of becoming dependent in the long term, suggesting a genetic predisposition. However, it could also mean that people with close relatives who use alcohol grew up in an alcohol-centric environment. A person’s environment will ultimately influence how their inherited genes are expressed. The exact percentage is unknown, but research suggests that genetic factors can play a role in about 50-60% of addiction cases. It’s important to remember that having a family history of AUD does not mean you will acquire the disorder, and not having a family history does not mean you are immune to it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or addiction, help is available. One option is NuView Treatment Center, which provides personalized is alcoholism inherited treatment plans for individuals seeking to overcome addiction. Ultimately, recovery from alcoholism is possible with the proper treatment and support.
Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction at Vertava Health
For these people, alcohol or other drugs is often used as a means to self-medicate against certain mental health symptoms. One common reason why people become dependent on alcohol is self-medication. Anxiety, depression, and a number of other disorders are linked to excessive alcohol use. While genetics might also influence these issues, you don’t need a family history of alcoholism to struggle with one of these problems. Though much of the research on substance use disorders and genetics has centered around alcohol dependency, studies suggest a genetic factor in addiction across the board.
- Alcohol use disorder and alcoholism can strain daily life, whether it is enjoying every moment or connecting with those around you.
- Genetics and family history are the most correlated with risk of AUD; in fact, genetic risk is about half of the problem, while family history is the other half.
- If you have alcoholic parents, there’s some cause for caution, but you can adopt protections for safety.
- They can couple with genetic risk and result in permissive attitudes toward heavy drinking and intoxication, he says.
Can children inherit genetic materials from their parents that increase their vulnerability to alcohol? Alcohol use disorder has become a prevalent problem that affects even the youth. Scientists and those in the medical field know there’s too much riding on the answer to this one question.
People with enzyme variants that allow for the fast buildup of acetaldehyde from alcohol (ethanol) are at less risk for addiction compared to those who metabolize alcohol efficiently to acetate. This is because people with acetaldehyde buildup are more likely to have troublesome reactions. They would experience nausea, flushing, and rapid heartbeat even with moderate amounts of liquor. The unpleasant symptoms of drinking “protects” them from consuming too much alcohol. A dual diagnosis (or a diagnosis of two or more co-occurring disorders) is a precipitous, dangerous situation where alcohol use and mental health issues are prone to exacerbate one another. Growing up around alcohol alone will not cause an individual to develop an alcohol use disorder, and it can increase the chance of engaging in alcohol use that could sow the seeds of progressive alcoholism.