The Genetic Causes of Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism and the nature-versus-nurture debate have always gone hand in hand. Is a person more prone to abuse alcohol because it's in their DNA, or do environmental factors play a part? Over the past few decades, studies have shown that a combination of environment and genetics usually play a factor in alcohol abuse.

Inherited Alcoholism

• According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to abuse alcohol. However, it is unclear how great a role genetics plays in this statistic when compared with the influence of the child's environment.

Twin Studies

• One method for studying the genetic factors that may lead to alcohol abuse is to contrast identical twins verses fraternal twins that have been adopted and raised in different environments. In a study reported in the Journal of Addictive Diseases, researchers studied 169 pairs of same-gender twins where at least one twin had sought treatment for alcoholism. The researchers found a higher occurrence of alcohol dependence in identical twins than in fraternal twins.

Significance

• Scientists have searched for genetic markers that signify a predisposition for alcoholism for numerous reasons. If a person displays a genetic marker that makes them more prone to alcoholism, they can avoid behaviors that may lead to alcoholism. Additionally, identifying these markers can help deepen the understanding of addiction, and improve treatment options.

Psychological Factors

• The ancient Greeks believed that moody women were more prone to breast cancer than vivacious women. Since then, a mountain of anecdotal evidence has pointed to a relationship between stress and a compromised immune system. According to scientist AJ Dunn, the effects of stress and a compromised immune system can make the body crave addictive chemicals (like alcohol) as a way of coping. Type A personalities (who subject themselves to more stress) are more prone to addictive behavior.

Genetic Factors

• According to Science Daily, a study conducted by the UCSF Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center has shown that certain chromosomes have been consistently present in subjects who exhibit addictive behaviors. Raymond L. White, PhD, director of the Gallo Center said that 60 percent of alcohol addiction is caused by genetic factors.