Long-term overuse of alcohol also increases the risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and breast. Alcohol use in pregnant women can cause birth defects and fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to lifelong physical and behavioral problems in the affected child. Other studies on children of alcoholics have found links between having an alcoholic parent, and problems like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Below, we’ll investigate how big a role genetic factors play in alcohol addiction, what the other factors may be, and what you can do to reduce your risk. Environmental influences are other components that can lead to alcohol addiction, either singularly or as they interact with other factors. These can be related to childhood or upbringing, family environment, social situations, or with a significant other.

If alcoholism runs in your family, that doesn’t mean you are fated to become an alcoholic. However, it does mean you should take extra precautions as you could have a strong susceptibility toward alcoholism. When one or more parent abuses alcohol, the parent is likely to have few or no coping skills. Often times, these individuals find reprieve in alcohol and continue drinking in order to escape uncomfortable emotions.

Learn more about the genes associated with Alcohol use disorder

Scientists are learning more and more about how epigenetics can affect our risk for developing AUD. Additionally, it’s important to know that just because a person does have the genes does not mean their future is written in stone. There are deliberate actions you can take to lower your risk for addiction.

• In other words, if others in your family have struggled with drinking, you aren’t doomed.
• At Footprints Beachside Recovery, our compassionate staff is dedicated to helping our clients find freedom from alcohol addiction.
• Furthermore, lack of coping skills and exposure to trauma can lead to the development of mental illness.
• People with these disorders often turn to alcohol or drug abuse to cope with their symptoms.

Stress at home, work, or school is also a major contributing factor to substance use disorder. For example, when an individual is feeling stressed they may consume a few alcoholic beverages and instantly feel relaxed and relieved. This calming effect often reinforces the desire to consume alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress. More specifically, individuals suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are likely to struggle with co-occurring alcohol use disorder.

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Having a genetic predisposition for developing alcohol use disorder can have no effect on a person who never picks up alcohol in the first place. In many families where there are several children with the same genes and the same upbringing, not all the children become alcoholics. Among those abusing alcohol, people who are genetically predisposed to alcoholism have a higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Although people can inherit alcoholic tendencies, the development of an alcohol use disorder is also dependent on social and environmental factors. Some who have inherited genes making them susceptible to alcoholism are responsible drinkers or never take a drink in their life.

In addition to alcoholism, alcohol use disorder includes alcohol abuse, which involves problem drinking without addiction. If drinking helps you relax after a hard day, it can become a pattern—even if you have no genetic history of addiction. Even frequent binge drinking with friends can change the reward system of your brain, leaving you vulnerable to cravings, and alcohol dependence. Genetic links are not the only reason AUDs often run in families – they only account for about half of the likelihood. Another reason is the environmental factors surrounding those living with a family member suffering from alcohol abuse. The long arm of Chromosome 7 contains the acetylcholine receptor gene CHRM2 (cholinergic muscarinic 2 receptor).

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More recent studies digging deep into the science behind this disease are trying to discover if there is a genetic predisposition for alcoholism. We mentioned that there does seem to be a genetic aspect to higher alcohol tolerance – research shows that genetics are responsible for about half of an individual’s risk for developing alcohol use disorder. Some can be personality-based, and the majority are surprisingly physical traits exhibited while drinking that discourage excess.

As both environmental factors and hereditary factors can contribute to someone developing mental illness, the complexity of the relationship that genes and substance abuse have is apparent. Although genetics do contribute to the risk that someone will develop an addiction, genes do not make it inevitable. Many other factors contribute to addiction, such as a person’s surroundings, peer pressure, the age they start drinking, and mental health disorders. Factors that increase the risk of this condition include depression or other psychiatric disorders and certain psychological traits, including impulsivity and low self-esteem.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

For those who personally affected by the disease of alcoholism, the NIAAA provides useful information and additional resources for getting help. If you’re already struggling with your alcohol consumption, there are new ways of cutting back or quitting without putting your life on hold. Ria Health is one online program that gives you access to medications, medical support, coaching, and digital tools, all from an app on your smartphone. Experts hope that if they can trace alcoholism to one gene or a combination of genes, they could use the information to identify those at risk and create early prevention methods. Reciprocal drinking is common early in relationships, and it is often hard to discern if someone is not aware of the signs. But it’s never too late to get help and be on your way to a happier and healthier life.

• Among the behavioral traits that parents can pass on to their children is a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.
• If drinking helps you relax after a hard day, it can become a pattern—even if you have no genetic history of addiction.
• It’s well-known that individuals with a family history of alcoholism are at a higher risk of becoming alcoholics.
• There is a correlation between the likelihood of developing a mental health disorder if a mental illness runs in the family.
• While genetics and family influence may increase the risk of developing alcoholism, all children of alcoholics aren’t necessarily destined to become alcoholics themselves.

The genes involved are players in a variety of basic body function, such as cell-to-cell communications, the control of protein synthesis, cell-to-cell interactions, and regulation development. It may be that dysregulation in these areas makes a person vulnerable to alcohol or other drug abuse. That fact that the dysregulation or problems can be encoded in the genes means that parents can pass these genes on to their children who in turn pass them on to their children, and so on.

Environment Vs. DNA

Our program addresses physical, nutritional, chemical, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual, lifestyle values, and challenges. If you think you or someone you know suffers from alcohol abuse disorder, then there are a few things that you can do https://sober-house.org/ to help fight addiction. Lowering stress levels naturally and surrounding yourself with people who are supportive of sober habits or moderate drinking can be beneficial. Alexis “Lexi” Thomas serves as Admission Specialist for Burning Tree Programs.

So, no one knows just how big a factor genetics plays in the development of alcoholism. Co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues are extremely common –  roughly 50 percent of people with severe mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. Self-medication for mental health problems is common and can lead to addiction. The NIDA study found that the genes involved in alcohol abuse were concentrated in 51 chromosomal areas in the body.

An intervention is not about how to control the substance user; it is about how to let go of believing you can.

They also provide resources for families, helping them understand the nature of addiction and how they can support their loved ones during recovery. No matter who you are or what kind of family you were born into, it is important to watch out for the early warning signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Being the child of an alcoholic can indeed increase your own risk, but the fact that your mom and dad were teetotalers does not mean you are off the hook. Because of the strong negative stigma of addiction, families sometimes hide addictions or brush them off. While it may be difficult for your family members to discuss this sensitive topic with you, don’t give up. Understanding your family’s history of drug or alcohol dependency can offer valuable new insight into your personal struggle with substance abuse.

Some people experience a traumatizing event and turn to alcohol to self-medicate. In this type of environment, the parents are setting an example of having a complete inability to cope with the ups and downs of day-to-day life. They are unable to teach their children healthy coping skills that they haven’t learned themselves. One of the most common questions people have surrounding alcoholism is whether or not it’s genetic, and if so, what happens when alcoholism runs in the family. This post-birth alcohol exposure could be yet another reason why alcoholism appears to run in families.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of Arizona, Lexi lends passion, knowledge, and insight to the admissions process. Treating every inquiry with a sense of tenderness and empathy, eco sober house cost Lexi knows first-hand what the family member’s experience of addiction feels like. After losing her own family member to addiction, Lexi dedicated her life to helping others find the freedom they deserve.