Do Genetics Affect Alcohol Use?

This condition affects several brain systems, which can cause some people to form a physical dependency on alcohol. Some genes may contribute to an increased susceptibility to addictions
in general. Importins are involved in transport of proteins and RNA
between nucleus and cytoplasm, and serotonin has been implicated in many neural
processes; HTR1A agonists reduce the anxiety-like behavior induced by repeated
ethanol withdrawals in rats79. Analyses of RNA expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines suggested that SNPs
within this region on chromosome 5 had cis-acting regulatory
effects on the expression of HTR1A or
IPO11. If your parents are alcoholics there is a higher chance of developing alcoholism because of genes passed down from your parents. Furthermore, being in an environment with alcoholics increases the chance of becoming alcohol dependent.

  • The latter required the presence of 3+ symptoms out of 7 to meet diagnostic threshold.
  • An additional challenge in the search for genetic variants that affect
    the risk for AUDs is that there is extensive clinical heterogeneity among those
    meeting criteria.
  • Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.

Even if you have a genetic predisposition to addiction, you can take steps to manage your risk and minimize your chances of addiction. If you or someone you care about are struggling with addiction, you should know that treatment can help you start the path to recovery to overcome addiction. You might also find it helpful to confide in a trusted loved one whose support can be instrumental in your recovery.

Is Alcoholism Genetic? What Are the Chances You Will Inherit It?

Genetics may play a role in alcohol use disorder (AUD), but other factors might also contribute to the development of this condition. There is evidence that heavy episodic (binge) drinking, which results in
exposure of tissues to high levels of alcohol, is alcoholism inherited is particularly harmful81, 87, 88. Binge drinking
is generally defined as a man consuming 5 standard drinks within 2 hours; women are typically smaller and have a lower percentage of body water, so 4 standard
drinks can reach similar alcohol levels.

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People who have close relatives with an alcohol use disorder are at the highest risk of developing the condition themselves. The more family members a person has with the disease, the more likely they inherited the genetic predisposition for alcoholism. There are hundreds of genes in a person’s DNA that may amplify the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Identifying these genes is difficult because each plays a small role in a much larger picture.

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Studies show that alcoholism is approximately 50% attributable to genetics. That said, researchers in North and South America have come up with several treatment modalities for people with genes that influence alcoholism. For people with a family history of alcoholism, there are alcoholism treatments that create unpleasant effects as an alternative to behavioral therapy, medications, and detox. Still, therapy and medication are the preferred treatment modalities for alcoholism.

is alcoholism a genetic trait

If addiction is part of your family’s health history, you’re more prone to develop a substance use disorder. Factors like your environment and your ability to handle situations that may trigger dependency are just as important. These are things that we can remain mindful of as we continue to develop an understanding of alcoholism on a personal basis.

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The earliest genes were
typically identified as a result of family-based analyses. In most cases, studies
recruited families having multiple members with alcohol dependence; such families
are likely to segregate variants that affect the risk of alcohol dependence. The
most common initial approach was linkage analysis, in which markers throughout the
genome were measured to identify chromosomal regions that appeared to segregate with
disease across many families. The drawback to this approach is
that linkage studies find broad regions of the genome, often containing many
hundreds of genes. In many cases, the initial linkage studies were followed by more
detailed genetic analyses employing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were
genotyped at high density across the linked regions.

Yet studies have shown that certain combinations of genes have a strong relationship to alcoholism. It often affects a person’s health, relationships, and work, yet they continue drinking heavily despite these negative impacts. If you or someone you know might be suffering from alcohol use disorder, seek mental and medical professional help to discuss resources and treatment plan options. If you notice signs of alcohol use disorder in yourself based on the amount of alcohol you consume daily or weekly, or if you’re drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism for life’s challenges, talk to a healthcare provider. They can refer you to a mental health professional or help you develop a plan to begin treatment.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction

Seeking mental health and medical advice offers a holistic approach to reducing or eliminating alcohol use. Alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder, is a chronic mental illness https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/boredom-drinking-and-how-to-stop-it/ that impacts judgment, behaviors, and a person’s physical health. Recognizing the difference between non-harmful alcohol consumption and alcohol addiction can be difficult.