Genetics and alcoholism PMC

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. The interaction between alcoholism and genetics can impact whether or not a family member also becomes an alcoholic. Factors like strong family bonds, close ties to institutions, and academic success can all help prevent the development of alcoholism. If someone has a family history of alcohol addiction but protective factors are in place, alcoholism can skip a generation. On the other hand, alcoholism can become a pattern that affects multiple generations in a row.

But alcohol is also classified as a depressant and can cause fatigue, restlessness, and depression. It may shift from stimulant to sedative in line with whether is alcoholism inherited blood alcohol content is rising or falling. Given the power of alcohol on the brain, people who drink heavily may come to rely on it to regulate their mood.

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A variation of this is to compare twins reared together with those reared apart. How often do we hear of an adopted child growing up in a loving foster home, ending up addicted to alcohol and drugs? I have met many patients who have grown up in loving homes only to turn to alcohol later in life. They tell me that neither parents drank alcohol but that one of the parents did come from an alcoholic home and they decided not to drink.

This article discusses alcohol use disorder symptoms and strategies for treatment and intervention. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another path, available in person or online. Non-abstinence-based recovery models—such https://ecosoberhouse.com/ as Moderation Management—advocate for reducing one’s alcohol consumption rather than abstaining completely. For many, beer, wine, and spirits conjure up thoughts of social gatherings and tipsy fun.

Aetna for Alcohol Rehab

If you are living with alcohol use disorder, know that you are not alone and that there are treatment options. 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. With current review, we aim to present the recent advances in genetic and molecular studies of AUDs. Recent successes in genetic studies of AUDs will definetely motivate researchers and lead to better therapeutic interventions for this complex disorder. “These genes are for risk, not for destiny,” stressed Dr. Enoch Gordis, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

One study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that alcoholism is tied to genes and mental health disorders. The study was conducted on 275,000 people and found that there are 18 genetic variations that can lead to alcohol abuse. 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.

Data availability

Studies show that alcoholism is approximately 50% attributable to genetics. Genes that affect alcohol consumption, including those noted above that affect the
very heavy consumption that is a key aspect of AUDs, can affect the risk for a
disease caused in part by alcohol29. They may increase the overall risk by increasing drinking, or
reduce risk by reducing drinking.