Do Genetics Affect Alcohol Use?

The home environment, particularly during formative years, can significantly influence one’s relationship with alcohol. Children deprived of consistent parental guidance or those subjected to abusive households are at an increased risk of turning to alcohol, potentially leading to substance abuse later in life. A comprehensive association study conducted jointly by the University of can you inherit alcoholism Washington and the University of Queensland meticulously tracked the lives of 5,889 male and female twins, delving deep into the genetics of alcohol use disorder. Researchers from the IU Alcohol Research Center used animal models to explore the genetics of alcohol use disorder. Analyzing 3 billion DNA base pairs across 70 animals, they identified genes linked to drinking behaviors.

• AUD often requires professional medical attention, especially if you’ve developed an alcohol dependence.
• The home environment, particularly during formative years, can significantly influence one’s relationship with alcohol.
• The oral cavity and esophagus are
  directly exposed to those levels, and the liver is exposed to high levels from the
  portal circulation.
• Their studies have shown that genes like ADH1B and ALDH2 are crucial in alcohol metabolism, with specific variants more prevalent in the Asian population.

If you or a loved one are seeking help for alcoholism, there is help available. Starting college or a new job can also make you more susceptible to alcoholism. During these times, you’re looking to make new friends and develop relationships with peers. The desire to fit in and be well-liked may cause you to participate in activities that you normally wouldn’t partake in.

What Environmental Factors Affect Alcoholism?

Environmental factors, as well as gene and environment interactions account for the remainder of the risk. A study in Sweden followed alcohol use in twins who were adopted as children and reared apart. The incidence of alcoholism was slightly higher among people who were exposed to alcoholism only through their adoptive families.

There are hundreds of genes in a person’s DNA that may amplify the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Identifying 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.

DNA Regions Related to Symptoms of Alcoholism

Genetics aren’t the only way your parents or caregivers can influence AUD risk. Living in a household where you’re regularly exposed to parental alcohol use can also increase your chances of AUD, regardless of your genetic predisposition. The more genetic factors you have, the higher your risk may be of having AUD. That doesn’t mean you’ll absolutely develop AUD if you have a family member living with the condition. You may have a higher genetic predisposition, but the underlying causes of AUD are multifaceted and complex. Your genes may predispose you to it, but you don’t have to let it define or dictate your choices.

They may increase the overall risk by increasing drinking, or
reduce risk by reducing drinking. Some alleles that reduce heavy drinking can,
nevertheless, increase risk for disease in the subset of individuals who drink
heavily despite having them. NIAAA has funded the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) since 1989, with the goal of identifying the specific genes that influence alcohol use disorder.