While there are heritable factors of alcohol abuse, addiction can also be caused by environmental factors, behavioral factors, and mental health factors. Therefore, calling alcohol addiction a genetic condition is limiting. This article will explore the topic in depth, so you can better understand what might be behind your dependency issues.
Key Takeaways
- While there are inheritable factors of alcohol abuse, it is also caused by environmental factors, including mental and behavioral health, trauma, and early alcohol exposure. Therefore, it is inaccurate to categorize it as a genetic condition.
- Various genes can contribute to alcoholism, and each plays a role. However, even people strongly predisposed to alcoholism may never develop the disease, and vice versa.
- Even if you have a strong genetic predisposition for alcoholism, you can prevent it from developing by looking for warning signs, using preventive behavior, and talking to medical and mental health professionals.
Table of Contents
- How Do Genetic Factors Influence Alcohol Addiction Risk?
- How Does Family History Impact Inherited Risk?
- Is Alcoholism Considered a Genetic Disease?
- Can Genetic Testing Predict Alcoholism?
- What Other Factors Contribute to Alcoholism?
- What Should I Do If I Have a Family History of Alcoholism?
- BlueCrest Detox Center Supports Your Recovery Journey
- FAQs
Introduction
Treating alcohol use disorder requires determining its underlying cause. Genetic factors can play a role. According to a National Institute study, the heritability of alcohol dependence is rather high, ranging between 50% and 60%.
However, the study goes on to say that alcohol abuse is polygenic and complex, meaning that there are components to consider beyond genetic factors, including environmental, behavioral, and life experiences, and it can be treated on many levels. This article will explore the topic and review your options.
How Do Genetic Factors Influence Alcohol Addiction Risk?
Alcohol is polygenic, meaning there is no single alcohol addiction gene. Rather, there are several genes involved and each can contribute to addiction risk, as follows:
- Genetic Predisposition vs. Genetic Determinism: While genetics can predispose you toward alcoholism, they aren’t deterministic. Factors like environment, behavior, and life experiences also contribute to the likelihood.
- Alcohol Metabolism Genes: Gene variants in ADH1B accelerate the conversion of alcohol into the toxic compound acetaldehyde, which ALDH2 then breaks down into a harmless compound. Some individuals have a less active ALDH2 gene, so drinking alcohol makes them sick, reducing the risk of alcohol abuse. Those with a more active gene may be more predisposed to alcoholism.
- Reward and Dopamine System Genes: The DRD2 gene is directly related to dopamine receptors, which react positively to alcohol consumption. Changes in this gene can affect alcohol’s rewarding effect.
- Stress Response and Impulse Control Gene: GABRA2 is involved in the brain’s GABA system and is linked to impulsivity, anxiety, and mood. CRHR1 is a stress hormone receptor that has been associated with how drinking alcohol relates to life events. Variants in either gene can impact the likelihood of developing a disorder.
- Low Levels of Response to Alcohol: People with a low response to alcohol are less affected by drinking. They are said to ‘hold their liquor’ well. While this might seem like a good thing, these individuals tend to drink more and are at higher risk for developing an AUD.
How Does Family History Impact Inherited Risk?
Family history can influence inherited risk, with variations in how it affects direct family members, twins, and across generations. Generally, the risk increases with closer family members, as follows:
- Parents: According to a 1996 PubMed study, people with parents with AUDs are three to four times more likely to develop it themselves. Risks are even present when children are adopted, as they still inherit alcoholic traits from their biological parents. However, environmental factors can increase or decrease that risk.
- Twins: Identical twins share 100% of DNA while fraternal twins share 50% of DNA. Therefore, if your twin has an AUD, you are more likely to develop it as well, especially if you are identical.
- Multi-Generational Factors: Due to the polygenic nature of alcohol abuse, it can seem to skip generations or show up randomly.
Is Alcoholism Considered a Genetic Disease?
No, alcoholism is not considered a traditional genetic disease. Rather, it is a chronic disease with strong genetic factors.
Genetic diseases follow clear patterns. A specific genetic mutation causes the condition. Alcohol doesn’t work that way, as it’s polygenic, and various factors contribute to its development.
Calling it genetic oversimplifies it and doesn’t consider the various contributing factors.
Can Genetic Testing Predict Alcoholism?
No, genetic testing cannot predict alcoholism because it’s not tied to a single genetic marker. While various genes can contribute to alcoholism, each contributes a small amount, and the combined effect varies from person to person. Even the most sophisticated tests, which look at hundreds or thousands of variants at once, can only estimate relative risks.
This isn’t a limitation of technology; rather, it’s a limitation of the disease itself. It isn’t a disease where you have the variant or you don’t. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to predict.
However, testing can provide some insight. For example, ALDH2 and ALDH1B genes tell you how your body processes alcohol. But it won’t tell you the risk factor for problematic alcohol drinking.
What Other Factors Contribute to Alcoholism?
While genes play a role, other factors that contribute to alcohol include mental disorders, trauma, life experiences, and early alcohol exposure, as follows:
- Mental Disorders: Individuals with mental health disorders, like major depression and bipolar disorder, often use alcohol to manage emotional issues. While it may seem to provide emotional stability, it causes long-term dysregulation.
- Trauma: Traumatic incidents can range from early-life abuse, war, and natural disasters, and can contribute to anxiety and intrusive memories, which many people self-medicate with alcohol.
- Social and Environmental Factors: Peer pressure, accessibility, and culture can make a person more likely to engage in excessive alcohol use.
- Early Alcohol Exposure: Using alcohol when you’re young, and your brain and impulse systems are still developing, increases your chances of substance abuse later in life.
What Should I Do If I Have a Family History of Alcoholism?
If you have a family history of alcoholism, recognizing warning signs, using protective behaviors, talking to a healthcare provider, and attending support groups and individual therapy sessions can reduce the chances of it getting out of hand.
- Recognizing Warning Signs: Warning signs include increased alcohol tolerance, alcohol face, withdrawal symptoms, spending more time drinking alcohol, and alcoholism interfering with daily life.
- Protective Behaviors: Moderation and abstinence can prevent alcoholism from developing.
- Talk to a Healthcare Provider About Risk: A healthcare provider can discuss your risks and recommend preventive measures.
- Therapy and Support Groups: These methodologies can help support emotional regulation and sobriety.
BlueCrest Detox Center Supports Your Recovery Journey
BlueCrest understands that recovery is not easy, and that genetic and environmental factors can contribute to a more intensive treatment process, but we are here for you every step of the way. We address all aspects of addiction- the physical, mental, and emotional- to ensure whole-person healing. Our team uses holistic, evidence-based therapies for a comprehensive approach.
Contact us to learn how we can help you improve your well-being.
FAQ
Is alcoholism genetic?
Yes, alcoholism is genetic. However, genetics aren’t the only contributing factor. Environmental, emotional, and behavioral issues also play a role, making the condition more complex.
Can I prevent alcoholism if it runs in my family?
Yes, you can fight against the genetics of alcoholism by attending therapy, looking for warning signs, and using preventative behaviors.
Can a DNA test tell me if I’m going to be an alcoholic?
No, a DNA test can’t tell you if you’re going to be an alcoholic. It can look for genes that may correlate with alcoholism, but any results will be broad and estimated.
Does drinking at a young age increase my risk if I have a genetic disposition?
Yes, drinking at a young age can increase your risk, whether you have a genetic disposition or not. Adolescents who drink while their brain and impulse control centers are still developing are more likely to develop alcoholism at a later age.
Is alcoholism a disease or a choice?
While choice plays a factor in alcoholism, it is considered a disease because it makes structural changes in the body and can be treated with medications. Framing it as a moral failing or a control problem isn’t accurate and contributes to stigma.
Sources
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Overview of the Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5004749/
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Genetic factors influencing alcohol dependence” (Schuckit). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2442454/
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Molecular Genetics of Alcohol Dependence and Related Endophenotypes.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2691669/
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Heritability of Problem Drinking and the Genetic Overlap with Personality in a General Population Sample.” https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268629
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Drinking Among Young Adults: Prevalence, Patterns, and Consequences.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6876515/
- National Institutes of Health / PMC. “Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents.” https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4530292/
- American Psychiatric Association, Psychiatric Services. “Adverse Childhood Experiences, Alcoholic Parents, and Later Risk of Alcoholism and Depression.” https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.53.8.1001
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “Family History of Alcoholism: Are You at Risk?” https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/employment-education/education/alcohol-abuse-faq/family-history/
