Is alcoholism genetic?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

And if so, do you think that children and grandchildren of alcoholics should be kept under watch during their upbringing?

On my mother' side, my family is full of alcoholics. My maternal grandfather was one and died aged 56. My mother is one. One of my sisters and I both struggled with alcohol abuse.

But at the same time, my aunt never had this problem and my eldest sister is a teetotaler like my father was. Si while there's a genetic predisposition, I also think the individual can influence how they relate with alcohol.

Thoughts?

[AmandaYVR]

I don't have much to add to what you said. The answer is yes, it is found to be genetically influenced, and offspring to have a similar propensity toward. But it's not a sentence, a given, of course.

Interestingly, they are often saying that addictions are addictions, and the specifics don't matter. For some, it's chemicals; for others, gambling or shopping, etc. I question this. Some people have an overly-excited system which causes anxiety, etc. Some people crave excitement, feel flat and depressed without it, and become thrill-seekers, risk-takers, extreme sports enthusiasts. Some like cocaine. Some like weed. Some like uppers. Some like downers. They seem to be at opposite ends, to me.

My mother drank to escape her life, and to quell her anxiety and fear, and to stop worrying so much. (And to stop from feeling guilt over here extreme inaction, and victim mentality she sat comfortably in.) She worried so much, she became an agoraphobic, eventually never wanting to leave the house. Her mother had the same anxious nature, and lived similarly, but without the chemical crutches, but people explained it away by saying that she lived through the traumas of war, and then leaving her homeland. But I think it was probably more to do with her constitution/biological makeup. I feel some of those things too, but to probably much lesser degrees than they did. (I'm guessing.) I am an urban dweller, and the quietness and insularness of their lives would have driven me absolutely crazy. Alcohol is my only vice. I always get in a better mood after one drink (and usually stop at one drink; two is my max), and life feels easier and more fun. It's difficult to say no to that feeling. I've tried every other way to recreate it naturally, and nothing is like it. My personality is exactly the same too. It just brings out the lighter, and more passionate side of me. Without it, I can be very serious, studious, which are pretty good/okay, but also unable to overlook all the problems and harshness of the world. I can very easily go down a dark spiral of seeing the negative. My mother escaped into fantasy. I have no such interest; unfortunately. I've gone sort of an 'uber reality' way, myself. (A phrase my husband came up for me. It is accurate, I would say.)

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I understand what you mean, I think.
I did abuse cocaine in the past (though I wasn't alone in that) and although I never developed an addiction, it did change my personality to an extent.

Thank you for sharing the stories of your mother and grandmother, I can see how there can be a "bind" of sorts that shows how addiction and (I really hope to not offend you by saying this) a component of mental illness can become part of genetic makeup stemming from a single individual's trauma and experience.

If I can say it, I see something of a parallel between your family on the mother' side and my family on the mother' side on those things.
In my own, frankly speaking, there are those component of addiction and mental illness that started from my maternal grandmother and got passed down to my mother and eventually my late sister and me. Makes me wonder if that's why my father eventually distanced himself from us.

But that aside, I do see the parallels. And if I can say it without offending you, your "Uber reality" and precise analytical nature could very well a product of that. From one extreme to the other, I'd say.

[AmandaYVR]

No offence taken, but thank you for the carefulness. Yes, these things certainly do get passed on genetically, these predispositions.
I think my 'uber reality' bent could very well be, in large part but not wholly related to my mother. But not so much genetically but more in the sense that she lied a lot, and though essentially a very sweet and timid woman, she was a master of obfuscation and deflection. Once I got to be a teenager, we fought a lot, and although I am well aware that it is a common time in one's development, and the teenager is often the cause, it wasn't merely that I was so difficult. Actually, I got into much, much less trouble than she did at a similar age. I was more sensible in my choices. I railed against making the same mistakes I witnessed in her. It was many years before I truly explored some things and lived a bit more base and indulgent, like she did. (A weird mixture of intellectual and base, albeit.) Anyway, I think it's likely that I crave (d) truth, and transparency because it was so often obfuscated and withheld from me. It's a bit like someone telling you that you haven't just seen something, you just imagined the horror. Although I was raised to question things, the status quo, perhaps, I also felt I was living inside of many lies. Ones that were not of my own making. It took me years to get full clarity, and that of course was after I was out. And people seem rather dismissive, often saying idiotic and trite things like, "Oh, everyone's family is crazy." Not true. There are major gradations of this.

[AmandaYVR]

Yet the guilt trips persisted all my life. Her victim mentality was a fairly iron-clad narrative, one I just uncovered a couple of years ago, then it all seemed to clear to me suddenly. Some, of many or most of her complaints and criticisms of others were true. She just conveniently neglected to tell of her own wrongdoings, that happened in parallel, or before and after. Had I known such things, I wouldn't have been so angry at some others, for so many years. That was very unfair of her.

My mother's "greatest passion, a topic which [she] never tires of" (a q I asked her about a year before she died) was "mental health." She loved everything about dissecting it, apparently. I was quite struck (and depressed) by this answer. No wonder she married a psychiatrist. But as acutely familiar as I am with that industry and many of the inner workings, I don't really believe that most people truly understand the complexity of it. "Oh, gotta take care of your mental health. Go see a therapist about that." Sure, but there is no quick fix. Understanding the intricacy of the mind can be a lifelong journey (it should not be a passion, unless you are a neuroscientist, perhaps). It's not really that some people like/love alcohol; or whatever vice or chemical or habit or hobby. It really speaks more to the complexity of the mind, and how challenging it is to live this modern life. It's a wonder that more people don't succumb to appeasements to try to stem their suffering. Of course, to be human is to suffer. Or to be any living creature. Some would say that to attempt to sidestep this, is the real issue, and an unavoidable one.

[AmandaYVR]

That's very interesting that you noticed it did change your personality. I'd like to know more about that. I've always wondered if that's a possibility.
I am a proponent of using certain drugs for therapeutic use. Not coke, obviously, but there's a lot of evidence to the benefits of certain ones. Have read about it, and watched several documentaries on its use with war PTSD and other traumas.
Personally, when I'm happy, and get some relief from the intensity of my thinking, I don't want to go toward those negative thoughts and experiences. They feel less important to me, not more. But I spend so much time in thought, anyway. I may not be a typical case regarding that. Levity is good for me. I've got the introspection part down (perhaps a little too good, lol.)

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I can understand how with time and maturity, you started to see through your mother's "screen" of misdirection and manipulation.
I think it was naturally easier for her to make you a partecipant and even part of her narrative.
Perhaps, she even truly believed she was in the right and everyone was being mean to her for no good reason.

I can imagine how difficult it must have been to first accept that the truths she had given you were false or at least highly manipulated, and then break up from the narrative and see the whole thing.

That she was so interested in mental health is both a sign of great intelligence and curiosity, but also a manifestation of manipulative tendencies and a desire of control, which she seemed to try and exert on you when she could.

I commend you for finally breaking up the cycle, and not ending up like her on those things.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

This talking about manipulation reminds me of my own mother, and she too is something of a hard nut to crack.
Definitely selfish and manipulative, but she's not a sociopath and can emphatize with people.

Even now that I should definitely know better, she can wrap me around her finger with some kind words and a smile.
What scares me a bit of her is that she's extremely self-aware. She knows she did a lot of wrong things and expressed - in my opinion genuine - regret.
And it's something I really can't make an idea of. Because she can be genuinely kind, solicitous and generous; and then manipulative, selfish and even cruel.
The duality of (wo) man indeed.

[xHoneyxBeex]

Yes and no. This topic is extremely complex. Alcoholism (and other substance use disorders) can be caused by both genetic AND environmental factors. Some people do carry genes that make them more at-risk for developing addictions but that doesn't automatically mean someone will become an alcoholic. Similarly, in many cases, children of alcoholic parents may become alcoholics themselves because it's what they were exposed to. Children learn how to manage their emotions, develop coping skills, and how to interact with substances by watching their parents.

However, some children can grow up in a family with alcoholics and decide they want nothing to do with alcohol. It really depends on the individual, the extent of their exposure, and any protective factors they may have had. Protective factors are positive influences people have that can help to counteract negative/traumatic ones. This would include having strong social and community support outside of the immediate family, being involved in positive activities or hobbies, having emotional awareness, having access to faith based resources, etc.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715956/

https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190718-samhsa-risk-protective-factors.pdf

[ODC2112]

As is usually the case, the proclivity for alcoholism is a combination of social, psychological, and biological elements.

The stomach absorbs 2% of alcohol, whereas the first section of the intestine absorbs the rest 80%. The absorbed alcohol then enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver, where it is destroyed by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Individuals with low ADH levels are more likely to become alcoholics. This factor is inherited. Asians and Native Americans have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase ADH, making them more susceptible to the effects of alcohol and more likely to develop alcoholism.

This technique of alcohol disposal is not the same for everyone: it differs depending on gender, age, ethnicity, and personal traits. It is inefficient until the age of 16 and inefficient until the age of 21. The capacity to dispose of alcohol rapidly deteriorates beyond the age of 65. It is always half of the male capacity in the female sex at all ages; as a result, certain individuals are more prone to the effects of alcohol.

Alcoholism is more prevalent in Western European countries with a Protestant cultural matrix than in Western European societies with a Catholic cultural matrix. Alcohol is addressed differently in Protestant cultures, with a greater emphasis on excessive alcohol drinking. Protestant countries, where drinking to intoxication is more common, have more alcohol-related problems and higher mortality per liter of alcohol consumed than Catholic European countries, where drinking is more mundane and integrated into daily life, and where alcohol is taken in small doses not to get drunk, but to enjoy the drink.

[Effably]

It is believed to be partially responsible. The ultimate choice is up to you of course.

There are however genes that act as blocks to drinking too much alcohol - which not everyone has (beta-klotho). Similarly there are genes that alter our appreciation (Like Gabrb1). And a bunch more.

Neither of these will make you an alchoholic for no reason. However when investigating alcholism there are more often than not genetic similarities between alcholoists.

Think of it more as a chance of inheriting tastebuds and appetite rather than a direct disorder.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

That's a very interesting answer, thank you for sharing.

[FunkyMonkee]

If anything, it's learned. Mom's dad was a bit of a drinker and used to beat the snoot out of grandma. Of the 5 kids they had, the son drank a tiny bit but not very often and at least 3 of HIS kids loved getting shit-faced!! Only one of the girls loved drinking and she almost never got harder than beer. Mom never drank.
As far as I know, dad's parents never drank but he sure loved his beer! However, he wasn't one to get drunk on it day after day! He knew his limits and never went past them. From the early `70's onwards, we had a beer tap in the house! Of the 4 of us kids, only my brother got HEAVILY into beer and slightly into the harder stuff and my little sister drank a little of the harder stuff but, not too much. I never drank! I have 31 cousins (not counting SO's or 2nd, 3rd or 4th cousins) across both sides of the family and only about 3 of them drink occasionally, three like to get shit-faced and at least one other is somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum. Both sides of the family are Irish!!

[Anonymous]

Perhaps... but I don't think it naturally HAS to happen THAT way. Like my Great Grandfather - big drinker. His father - big drinker. That could be cultural. We don't know about other generations.

I think that there's something genetic that makes people of the same family happen to go into the same field of study, or get similar jobs, or have similar interests (or problems). Likewise, I think it can influence other things - like addiction. I think sometimes it's something in the genes that gives you a natural interest in something, for better or worse. They say that the risk of having alcoholism is 50-60% genetic. It obviously doesn't mean you can't fight it, it just means it's more likely to give you that chance that it could sneak in there, or be closer to the surface.

My dad had a temper. He could control it at the office, but would release that with us (and more me). "You don't beat on girls because you're sh*t if you do..." so as the boy, I got a lot of that rage directed at me. I wonder if I don't have a bit of that temper; I just keep it in check a lot easier. He hated kids for the most part, unless he could look like the nice father/grandfather, then he appeared nice in public. I LOVE kids. I'm great with little ones. I'm a big kid myself.

I may be more genetically prone to be a hothead. I sense it bubbling up sometimes. But I keep it in check well. I can control it. Maybe it's genetic, but it could also be what I saw or experienced. I think he was genetically likely to have something in him that snapped too quickly too often. That doesn't mean it was right. I think Grandpa was a hot head (though by all accounts, he wasn't abusive or cruel to his wife or kids or anything). That doesn't mean I have to hurt people or beat on anyone. I can rebel. I can succeed, if I'm determined and have some good ways to cope, and I'm willing to work at it.

[Anonymous]

My advice to any kid would be to stay away from alcohol, porn, weed, vaping, social media, random sex, masturbation, and somewhat video games until at least college is done. And watch your food. Start building winning habits sooner than later because it's easier that way. Much easier. Some people think some of that stuff is okay but im telling you it's not worth it. You can have a great life without touching those things. And the benefit of not touching them is huger than you can think of.

[NostalgiaSenpi]

There's a possibility, but it can also environmental.

Several studies published since 2015 point to genetics with eye color https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thrillist.com/amphtml/culture/eye-color-alcohol-tolerance

But, I have blue eyes and never developed a dependence on alcohol or had the urge to drink except by choice.

I'm under the impression it's more environmental. Family and friends that became alcoholic were in situations that they used alcohol to remedy, such as abuse or depression. While others wanted to fit in and did it too much.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

In a way, yes. There are studies to suggest that addictive behaviors get passed down, though they may not necessarily manifest as alcoholism. In the same way that there's genetic trauma (i. e. Scottish descendants of potato famine survivors tend to retain more weight to prevent the chance of starvation), the potential for addictive behaviors can get passed down genetically. It may not necessarily turn into alcoholism, it may be an addiction to opioids, an addiction to gambling, etc.

Having an alcoholic in your family that you're related to, depending on your relationship to them, does make you more likely to become an addict of something in your life.

[chronic22]

Depends on if the person is more logical or emotional. Somebody that is logical and understands danger risk and lives life being realistic is gonna avoid alcohol and drugs.
But somebody emotional is not going to understand danger when the danger is right there and will consume anything that causes them to feel a certain way.

Your health is what matters.

Emotional people latch onto these drugs like it offers a solution to their problems and it simply does not. I'd rather eat raw meat than do drugs and alcohol. At least with eating raw meat I can transfer into a carnivore.

[Kaneki05]

For it to become genetic the first person had to become it. So it is but only cause someone down the line started to drink. But even so you can still outwill it might be very hard but it's doable. The brain can out will anything including pain nvm an addiction.

[TheSpaceGnome]

It's genetic.

You have to be genetically built to enjoy the effects of alcohol in order to become addicted to it.

My parents genetics like alcohol, but the mix of them that created me does not, so I can never become an alcoholic.

[snackthatsmilesback]

It better fucking not be. We already taking measures to keep our old shit out of influencing her life, gonna be pissed if she gets into it just bc of "genetics." Better at least have a good reason like peer pressure or some shit fr. Genetics that's stupid. That shouldn't happen alcohol shouldn't be able able change your DNA.

[Twalli]

There's a genetic predisposition, that's all. You have a higher chance of having drinking problems if your parents or grandparents suffered from them. My grandparents on both my father's side and mother's side had alcohol issues. My dad's side was really bad, his mother died from drinking and his father was too drunk to function at times. Because of this my sister and I were at a pretty high risk of alcohol abuse.

[pethouse]

If one or both of your parents are alcoholics then you have a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic but it doesn’t mean you are deemed to be an alcoholic. Other stuff also increases your chances of addiction like child hood trauma and stuff like that

[OlderAndWiser]

Strong genetic component but also shaped by experience and training.

[exitseven]

No, it is environmental. Some people see drunkenness as a way of life and just go along with it. Some see it as something bad and stay away from.

[DizzyDesii]

I think alcoholism is influential on those who witness it but i certainly dont think its genetic

[SmokinAces2000]

Alcoholism runs on both sides of my family but I used to drink heavily but I was able to stop at anytime so I guess it depends

[Anonymous]

Both nature and nurture are at play here, to varying degrees depending on the person.

[NathanDavis]

alcoholism is not cause by just one factor... but many

so no, it is not genetic

[Adam1978]

I think it's more a environment affect. Attitude towards alcohol and it's usage that causes it.

[Leopard23]

You can be mote genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic

[AngryCarl2]

There's some evidence that there can be a genetic predisposition. But you can't be an alcoholic without having access to alcohol, which like nicotine is a highly addictive substance.

[Subarugirl]

No it is not.

[Randalama]

That's certainly my excuse.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think so, I think it’s what you’re around

[Anonymous]

I know its hereditary.

[Anonymous]

yeah it is