Understanding this better can help someone get the type of treatment they need to overcome alcoholism. It is estimated that while there are over a dozen genes that contribute to a tendency towards alcohol abuse, each on its own shows a limited correlation to alcoholism without environmental stressors. Therefore, the more genes present, the higher the likelihood of developing AUD, and thus we can infer that genetics do play some role. Prevention and education programs can address this risk as part of regular medical checkups. Genetics are understood to be a component of AUD, but not the sole cause.

• The genome study brought to light that inclination and vulnerability towards drugs and other substance abuse are influenced by strong genetic factors.
• Finally, some experts believe substance use disorders contribute to mental health disorders by changing brain function and structure.

This often happens earlier on in their life before their 21st birthday. The earlier a person begins to start drinking, the more likely they will develop an alcohol use disorder. Detoxing with the assistance of medical supervision, followed by participation in a rehab program, is the best approach for an individual struggling with alcohol addiction.

Understanding the Genetics Behind Alcoholism

However, your odds of developing a dependency are higher than others. “These genes are for risk, not for destiny,” stressed Dr. Enoch Gordis, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He added that the research could help in identifying youngsters 5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Sober Living House at risk of becoming alcoholics and could lead to early prevention efforts. Family, twin, and adoption studies have shown that alcoholism definitely has a genetic component. In 1990, Blum et al. proposed an association between the A1 allele of the DRD2 gene and alcoholism.

• When individuals are exposed to significant amounts of an addictive substance, over time, it is probable that the substance use will “hijack” or rewire the person’s brain to crave it.
• There are several other genes that have been shown to contribute to the risk
  of alcohol dependence as well as key endophenotypes.
• Many studies have been done and experts agree that, while there is a hereditary connection, genetics is not the only factor.

Dr. Marc A. Schuckit, a psychiatrist at the University of California at San Diego has studied the nonalcoholic sons of alcoholics. In other words, they got less drunk, which shows a higher tolerance for alcohol. Pinnacle Peak Recovery’s alcoholism treatment in Scottsdale, Arizona, typically begins with alcohol detox that lasts around five to 10 days to provide you with the safest and most comfortable experience possible. By seeking professional help for alcohol use disorder, you can learn the tools needed to leave alcohol behind forever. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) helpline can help you in the worst-case scenarios, whether the problem is heredity or environmental and is life-threatening.

Genetics, as well as a variety of social and environmental factors, can play a role in the development of alcohol addiction.

Medical science has discovered a 50 percent possibility of being predisposed to alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is also a common coping strategy against mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One person’s definition of stress may be different from another. Your alcohol consumption will increase if you are dealing with chronic stress from work, relationships or other sources. You are at greater risk for AUD if you rely on alcohol to cope.

Still, genes only make up about half of your risk for alcoholism. New studies suggest ways to identify those at risk and help prevent them from becoming alcoholics. In the strictest terms, addiction is not an actual hereditary disease. When looking at the condition from this vantage point, it’s fair to say there’s a hereditary aspect. There’s also a belief that mental health disorders can contribute to substance use disorders.

Are you born to be an alcoholic?

If you grew up in a home with an alcoholic parent, you’ve likely faced some form of neglect or abuse. That trauma can reverberate throughout the rest of your life and raise your risk of mental health problems such as alcoholism. In studies of babies separated at birth by adoption, children tended to drink in patterns that closely mimicked their biological parents (not their adoptive ones). Given studies like this, most researchers say that alcoholism risk is about half determined by your genes.

• Still, there isn’t one specific alcoholic gene that makes a person addicted to alcohol.
• She said those larger samples of individuals with and without a diagnosis of alcohol dependence will be key to future discoveries about genetic contributions to alcoholism.
• Sharing a bottle of wine with dinner or a martini after work becomes a group activity, and soon, you’re drinking more than you meant to.
• For alcoholism, many of these disorders include anxiety and depression, where alcohol is used as a coping mechanism.This can also include post-traumatic stress disorder or general trauma.
• We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

In 2006, National Institute on Drugs Abuse researched human genes to find out the reasons behind alcohol addiction. The genome study brought to light that inclination and vulnerability towards drugs and other substance abuse are influenced by strong genetic factors. But, while biological heritability and family history may seem interchangeable, it is important to note that there is a difference. Those with a “family history” of alcohol use disorder are likely both genetically predisposed to addiction, and also grew up in an environment that could play a role in developing a substance use disorder. People with a family history of alcoholism have the highest risk of struggling with alcohol use.