Summary:
This article explores the link between heredity and alcohol addiction, particularly which genetic variations can have an impact positively or negatively on an individual’s risk level for developing addiction.
Today, many people believe that genetics is to blame for developing an addiction, and while there are several genetic components associated with addiction risk, this only makes up one part of an individual’s risk. Our goal is to provide the right type of mental health and addiction treatment programs, no matter how much heredity is to blame.
What is the Link Between Heredity and Alcohol Addiction?
Genetics accounts for around 50% of the risk that an individual has for developing a disorder, which means that some people have a higher genetic risk, but no matter what, that genetic risk might only be half of what may or may not contribute to an alcohol use disorder.
Individuals who have a higher tolerance, for example, due to their genetics, might drink more in larger amounts without the same ramifications as someone with a genetically lower tolerance, but that link doesn’t mean that an individual is going to become addicted.
The “Alcoholism” Gene
Some of the strongest genetic links between heredity and alcohol addiction are ADH1B and ALDH2, both of which relate to how the body breaks down alcohol.
ADH1B is a gene responsible for the production of an enzyme that converts alcohol into its toxic by-product, so some genetic variations that are inherited might mean that the body builds up alcohol-related toxins much faster.
ALDH2 is a gene responsible for removing alcohol toxins from your system. Some genetic variations, particularly common among East Asian populations, mean that this process of clearing alcohol-related toxins is much slower, so an individual will remain drunker, longer, compared to someone whose genetics mean that they clear those toxins quickly.
These two genetic variations can mean that an individual gets things like facial redness, rapid heartbeat, or nausea when they drink, which, though it is associated with the link between heredity and alcohol addiction, can often be a deterrent.
Neurobiological Genes and Alcohol Addiction
There are other links, however, between alcohol addiction and heredity, particularly genes that affect how the reward center of the brain responds to alcohol. These include DABRA2 and CHRM2, variations of which can lead to higher levels of impulsivity and a greater genetic risk of developing alcoholism.
Others include DRD2, which affects how much reward an individual feels when they drink. In these cases, a higher variation of this gene can mean a higher vulnerability to potential drinking because of how much more rewarding it feels in the brain.
Finally, OPRM1 influences how much an individual craves alcohol and subsequently how the body responds to medications like naltrexone.
Finding Outpatient Treatment for Alcoholism
No matter how your genetic composition is structured, any link between heredity and alcohol use disorder is only one part of a complicated, overlapping puzzle. For those who are struggling with a genetic link and alcohol use disorder, finding professional treatment can offer a way forward.
With East Coast Recovery, our goal is to provide flexible, outpatient treatment for those struggling with alcohol use disorder or anyone struggling with alcohol use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression or anxiety. With two levels of care, we help individuals with full-day or partial day treatment plans, including access to ongoing alumni programs and aftercare support.
Contact East Coast Recovery to find a flexible outpatient program that works for you.
FAQ
Is There a Link Between Alcoholism and Family Structure?
Some studies have concluded that there is a risk factor within family structures. How families are structured, and in particular how close a child is to alcohol abuse among parents or grandparents, can influence that individual’s risk of developing an addiction in adulthood. The more a child is exposed to regular alcohol consumption, and even alcohol abuse in the home, especially across multiple generations, the higher the risk of developing alcohol addiction themselves.
What Does Polygenic Risk Mean?
Polygenic risk means that addiction, especially alcohol addiction, is not caused by a single gene but rather by multiple genetic variations, which, when coexisting, can increase the risk of addiction.
If My Parents are Alcoholics, Will I Be Too?
Heredity accounts for nearly half the risk of developing an addiction, and in some cases, there is a much higher risk, though having alcoholic parents does not automatically mean you will become an alcoholic as well. Males whose fathers are alcoholics are nine times more likely to develop alcoholism compared to males without alcohol addiction in the family. However, environmental influences are responsible for triggering an actual addiction, and a genetic predisposition does not automatically lead to addiction.
Is Environment or Genetics More Likely to Cause Addiction?
Environmental factors can play a critical role in an individual’s risk of developing addiction, but so can genetics, which account for roughly half the risk of an individual developing addiction. To be clear, a genetic predisposition does not automatically mean that an individual will develop an alcohol addiction, but rather that they have genetic variations that interact with things like alcohol sensitivity or dopamine associated with alcohol consumption, which can increase the likelihood of developing an addiction.
Who Does Alcoholism Affect the Most?
Alcoholism affects men and women, but in different ways. For example, women have a higher risk of marrying spouses with alcohol dependence if their parents are alcoholics, but men do not. Women are at a greater risk for alcohol-related health problems like certain cancers, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, men are at a higher risk of developing alcoholism themselves.
