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There is not a singular gene solely responsible for alcoholism. There are hundreds of genes in a person’s DNA that may amplify the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Identifying sober house these genes is difficult because each plays a small role in a much larger picture. Yet studies have shown that certain combinations of genes have a strong relationship to alcoholism.

Abuse and neglect are just two examples of environmental factors that can cause multiple members (or multiple generations) of a family to be affected by alcoholism. Other external influences that can have this effect include poverty and living in a culture where alcohol abuse is encouraged. Those with childhood trauma may also be vulnerable to alcohol use disorder, the NIH says. If you notice signs of an alcohol use disorder, you might have gotten it from a genetic predisposition to the disease by keeping a tight eye on your drinking and seeking treatment. You may be more likely to develop alcohol abuse disorder if you have a genetic component. The physical and mental effects of addiction to alcohol or other drugs are affected by genetics.

Addiction Treatment

Think about your relatives, starting with your immediate family members. Has anyone had a problem with drugs, alcohol, or other substances in the past? Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. If you’re drinking more than you want to, know that treatment can help.

People with mental illness have a higher risk of turning to substance abuse as a way of coping. Mental disorders can be hereditary (and environmental), which partially illuminates the complex link between genetics and addiction. If you have a genetic risk of developing an alcohol addiction and have exhibited signs of this disorder, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Counseling and support can help tackle social and environmental factors that could contribute to an alcohol problem in the future. If you or a loved one has already developed a problem, there are outpatient and inpatient programs that can help. Among those abusing alcohol, people who are genetically predisposed to alcoholism have a higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.

Will I Become an Alcoholic If My Parents Are?

NIAAA is committed to learning more about how genes affect AUD so that treatment—and prevention efforts—can continue to be developed and improved. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) often seems to run in families, and we may hear about scientific studies of an “alcoholism gene.” Genetics certainly influence our likelihood of developing AUD, but the story isn’t so simple. It is now appreciated that a whole spectrum of allele frequencies and
effect sizes may play roles, from common variations with small effects through
rare variants of large effect. As whole exome and whole genome sequencing
technologies come down in cost, they are being applied to identifying rare
variants. For studies of rare variants, families are quite valuable for sorting
out true positives from the background of individual variations that we all
harbor.

There are other important factors that can contribute to AUD, such as environmental factors. A parent’s drinking habits, even without genetics, have an impact. Where you grew up and who you grew up with can also contribute to AUD. Frequent exposure to alcohol and other substances can increase the risk of addiction. In particular, early exposure can heighten the risk of gaining a physical dependency on alcohol, especially in a familial setting. However, scientists also argue that genetics play a significant role in the risk of developing alcoholism and the likelihood of hereditary effects.

Lifestyle Factors

Alcoholism
(alcohol dependence, alcohol use disorders) is a maladaptive pattern of
excessive drinking leading to serious problems. Abundant evidence indicates that
alcoholism is a complex genetic disease, with variations in a large number of
genes affecting risk. Some of these genes have been identified, including two
genes of alcohol metabolism, ADH1B and ALDH2,
that have the strongest known affects on risk for alcoholism.

A second approach that will likely benefit the alcohol research
community will be greater examination of pathways or gene sets. These approaches
have been quite fruitful for some studies and need to be employed in analyses of
alcohol-related traits and phenotypes. Over the next few years, we anticipate the
identification of additional common and rare variants contributing to the risk of
alcohol dependence.