Author: Alex Thompson

Influence of Genetic Background in Alcohol Dependency

In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions. They seem to lose fewer inhibitions and tolerate alcohol for longer before they pass out.

The causes of AUD are complex and can involve a variety of factors, including early exposure to alcohol use, peer group pressure, and living with other mental health conditions. Genetic disorders are diagnosable conditions directly caused by genetic mutations that are inherited or occur later in life from environmental exposure. If drinking alcohol makes you feel ill, you may be more likely to avoid alcohol in the first place, which can reduce the chances of developing alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder can be hereditary or genetic, which means it can run in families. Children of people with AUD may be 2-6 times more likely to develop problems with alcohol use when compared to those whose parents do not have alcohol use disorder.

Your socioeconomic status can directly affect your mental and physical well-being. Many factors are involved in the development of AUD, but having a relative, or relatives, living with AUD may account for almost one-half of your individual risk. You might also find it helpful to confide in a trusted loved one whose support can be instrumental in your recovery. You could also look for support groups online or in your area for people with substance use disorders. ADH1B and ALDH2 may also protect against both alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder.

The Role of Genetics in Alcoholism

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 5.6% of adults in the United States were living with alcohol use disorder in 2019. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. This is a system that transfers signals via a molecule (neurotransmitter) called dopamine.

1. If alcohol tends to make you feel ill, it could be because of a genetic component.
2. If drinking alcohol makes you feel ill, you may be more likely to avoid alcohol in the first place, which can reduce the chances of developing alcohol use disorder.
3. It’s a chronic condition characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of alcohol, despite harmful consequences.
4. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function.

But while research is still ongoing to identify causative and protective genes for alcohol use disorder, it is not currently routine practice to test for these genes. As one 2015 article in Nature points out, researchers have not been able to identify a single gene that determines whether or not you develop an addiction. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help.

Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Substance abuse treatment usually involves a comprehensive approach that combines medical and psychosocial interventions. Your socioeconomic status is made up of economic and societal factors such as your income, level of education, employment, location of residence, and available resources. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, AUD affects approximately 29.5 million people in the United States. More than 800,000 of the people affected are children between the ages of 12 and 17 years. Additionally, about 1.7% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 were reported as having alcohol use disorder in 2019.

Having a close family relative, such as a parent, can account for up to 60% of your risk of developing AUD. Your genetics don’t only increase your risk of AUD — they may have protective elements as well. Because of this, people with the genes ADH1B and ALDH2 might be less likely to develop the condition than those without it. If alcohol tends to make you feel ill, it could be because of a genetic component.

Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder

What this means for family members of alcoholics is that you are not necessarily going to misuse alcohol yourself. Factors like your environment and ability to handle situations triggering dependency are just as important as genetics. These are things that we can remain mindful of as we continue to develop an understanding of alcoholism on a personal basis. Is there any scientific evidence that your genes may predispose you to have an alcohol dependency if your parents or grandparents did? While many studies have been done, and experts agree that there is a hereditary connection, genetics is not the only factor, and we don’t quite know the full impact it has on alcoholism. Just as risk factors increase your chance of experiencing a condition, protective factors lower your risk.

Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Research has suggested that it’s a combination of the above risk factors as well as genetics that could determine whether or not you develop alcohol use disorder. Other than genetics, there are a number of risk factors for developing alcohol use disorder. The NIAAA points out that genes are only responsible for about half the risk of developing AUD. Environmental factors can also play a role in determining whether someone develops this condition. But substance abuse isn’t determined only by the genes you inherit from your parents.

While genetics can play a significant role in your overall AUD risk assessment, it isn’t the only factor that can elevate your chances of developing AUD. However, the causes of AUD go beyond genetics and can be quite complex. AUD doesn’t form because of a single gene, nor are genetics the only reason why someone develops an alcohol use disorder. Genetics may play a role in alcohol use disorder (AUD), but other factors might also contribute to the development of this condition. Your genetic risk refers to the likelihood that specific genes or genetic variants passed down to you will lead to a particular condition.

They are essential in influencing the brain’s function and response to addictive substances like alcohol. Certain genetic variations, such as cytochrome enzymes in the liver, can also influence how quickly a person metabolizes drugs. Research shows that genes are responsible for about half of the risk for AUD.

NIAAA has funded the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) since 1989, with the goal of identifying the specific genes that influence alcohol use disorder. In addition, NIAAA funds investigators’ research in this important field, and also has an in-house research emphasis on the interaction of genes and the environment. NIAAA is committed to learning more about how genes affect AUD so that treatment—and prevention efforts—can continue to be developed and improved. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider.

Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. The environment in which people live and work heavily affects their attitudes and drinking behaviors. It’s a chronic condition characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of alcohol, despite harmful consequences. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can have a hereditary component, but not everyone living with AUD has a family history of AUD.