Is Alcoholism Genetic?: The Sobering Truth

Did you know that in 2019, 25.8% of people over the age of 18 said that they engaged in binge drinking? If you or someone you know is trying to cope with alcohol abuse and are wondering “is alcoholism genetic?” you are in the right place.

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between alcohol and genetics.

Is Alcoholism Genetic?

The truth is that genetics can influence a person’s likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder but it does not affect a person 100%. Research has shown that when someone is dealing with symptoms of alcoholism their genes are responsible for around half of the risk for alcohol abuse.

Another factor is environmental factors of where the person lives and whom they interact with. If someone is exposed to large amounts of any addictive substance such as alcohol over an extended period of time it is highly likely that their brain will rewire to crave that substance that they were exposed to.

This means that even if someone does not have a genetic component present they can still inherit a predisposition to alcohol abuse because of the culture they grow up in.

Molecular Genetics

There have been studies that show a genetic predisposition to develop the disease of alcoholism. Research has also shown that alcohol intolerance in some people causes them to deal with nausea, headaches, and feeling bad even when consuming alcohol in small quantities.

Almost every alcoholic has shown to have very low levels of beta-endorphins. The problem is that whenever the brain stops producing beta-endorphins it becomes used to the presence of surplus levels and then begins to depend on the external source even more (such as alcohol).

Scientists have found many genes associated with the disease but they are still not 100% certain that this is the case. The genes operate with characteristics like sensitivity to alcohol and impulsivity.

Drinking Too Much?

If you are worried that you might be drinking too much it is important to keep track of your daily alcohol consumption. Are you having a drink once in a while or are you drinking every single day no matter what?

When you notice a pattern in your drinking this is where you have to be worried because it can be harmful to your health and your body. Pay close attention to your daily and weekly habits because this will indicate whether you are dealing with a drinking problem or not.

Time to Sit Down and Evaluate 

Now that we answered the question “is alcoholism genetic?” we hope you are feeling well informed to know whether you or a loved one is addicted to alcohol or not. Unfortunately, there are no specific tests you can take to diagnose a yes or no answer but staying in denial for too long can bring terrible health consequences in the future.

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