Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Alcoholism, or alcohol abuse, is a challenging brain illness caused by frequent and excessive drinking. And although alcoholism is recognised as a medical condition, many people mistakenly still view it as a voluntary choice.

At first glance, this is understandable since alcoholism starts with the physical act of drinking. However, when we consider the uncontrollable nature of addiction, this view changes. Various internal and external factors can trigger the risk of developing alcoholism.

This brings us to the question: “Is alcoholism hereditary?” Some believe genetics play a role, while others think it results from learned and accepted behaviours.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different factors that can lead to alcoholism and explain how Rehab Clinics Group can support those struggling with alcohol abuse.

How Is Alcohol Use Disorder Defined?

Alcoholism is a chronic disease defined by an inability to control or stop drinking – and typically, the individual will experience social, occupational, or health consequences as a result of this.

As we touched on above, it’s a disease that’s still incredibly misunderstood. But alcohol use disorder isn’t a choice, as once it develops, it involves a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol, leading to a range of harmful effects on an individual’s life and well-being.

Several common symptoms of alcoholism can include:

  • A strong craving for alcohol
  • Loss of control over drinking
  • Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
  • A high tolerance to alcohol

Alcoholism can have severe impacts on every aspect of an individual’s life, and this includes taking a toll on overall physical health. Liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and an increased risk of various cancers are all common among those living with alcohol addiction. It also affects mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

In short – yes. Alcoholism, to a degree, is, in fact, hereditary. This is based on extensive scientific evidence surrounding probability rates.

Children of alcoholics (or who have a family history) are found to be four times more likely to abuse alcohol in later life compared to those whose parents do not drink or drink within reason. However, through the debate of whether alcoholism is hereditary or environmental, a broad range of research studies also suggests how acceptance and the normalisation of alcohol abuse within an environment or social setting can motivate addictive characteristics.

Understandably, for some individuals, an influential environment will lead the way when considering alcohol consumption. Many do believe that a negative environment that encourages alcohol abuse must be combined with hereditary risks to increase the actual materialisation of alcoholism.

However, addiction is a complex and personal illness. It can be caused by a multitude of reasons, including social, emotional, environmental, biological, and circumstantial factors.

Researchers who have extensively studied alcohol use disorders have found:

So, Is Alcoholism Hereditary or Genetic?

The answer is both.

There’s a chance that children of parents with alcohol use disorder can inherit certain characteristics and traits through changes to their DNA (DNA.5), and there’s also evidence to suggest that there’s a genetic risk of developing specific gene sequences and variations that are consistent in people with alcohol dependence.

Alcoholism is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although there’s a hereditary and genetic predisposition that can increase the risk, environmental factors such as peer pressure, stress, and exposure to alcohol at a young age also play just as big of a role.

It’s the combination of these factors that ultimately determines an individual’s susceptibility to alcoholism, as just because someone has a genetic predisposition to alcohol addiction doesn’t mean they’ll go on to develop this disease later in life.

Find out more about the stages of alcoholism and how it starts here.

A Closer Look at the Genetic Factors of Alcohol Use Disorder

Our genetics are passed onto us by our biological parents. Through our genetics, certain traits, along with health ailments, can be forwarded on without any control or say.

For some, increased susceptibility to addictive, compulsive, and habitual behaviours can be carried through genetics, resulting in vulnerabilities. This backs the possibility of hereditary influences motivating the addiction rates of alcohol.

A similar process is also experienced when considering mental health issues, which fall very closely to addiction development, down to psychological pressures and weaknesses. While the exact genes carrying such risks are yet to be identified, research has found alcoholism to be a hereditary condition, where such behaviours can be passed on even if physical exposure to such behaviours is minimal or non-existent.

Environmental Vulnerabilities to Alcohol Addiction

Similar to genetic vulnerabilities, environments can influence the excessive consumption of alcohol, which, if uncontrolled, can develop into alcoholism.

Stressful, toxic, and unhealthy environments are found to be the key driving forces where alcohol is regularly present, where its consumption is normalised, and where alcohol is seen as a strong coping strategy.

Internally, we may all have varying makeups, but behaviours are taught, nurtured, and normalised through upbringing, society, and our surroundings. This fully backs the environmental influences of alcoholism and how pressurising atmospheres can increase the attractiveness of reliance.

Other Known Risk Factors Of Alcoholism

By considering the above vulnerabilities, it’s clear to see how both hereditary and environmental influences can motivate alcoholism or the initial abuse of alcohol. However, there is a wealth of alternative influencing factors, on internal and external bases, which can also increase the risk of alcohol abuse.

Social influences

Social situations, relationships, interactions, norms and pressures can all influence the initial misuse of alcohol. Whether that’s linked to stress or the part that alcohol can play in social situations, vulnerabilities within such areas can increase the risks of alcoholism.

Mental health influences

Closely linked to hereditary influences, pre-existing mental health issues can motivate the use of alcohol on an excessive basis, which, if uncontrolled, can sometimes lead to the development of alcoholism.

Emotional influences

Our minds can be influential when considering our thoughts, our opinions and our actions. However, through emotional vulnerabilities and excessive alcohol exposure, our minds can increase the susceptibility of reliance, making habitual behaviours easier to maintain.

Overcoming Alcoholism And Its Impacts

Alcoholism is a testing condition to live with. Health concerns are one of the most common consequences of excessive alcohol abuse, surrounding mental health issues, organ disease and failure, and secondary illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer.

However, further consequences can be encountered when alcohol becomes a priority, diminishing the value of life, relationships, personal intentions and experiences.

The reality of living with any degree or form of addiction can be unfortunate, which is why we’re here at Rehab Clinics Group to offer a way out. Overcoming alcoholism is possible with the proper support, no matter whether your causation is linked to your environment, emotional state or even hereditary reasons.

However, depending on your causation, a personal rehabilitation programme can be offered to alleviate the strain of such influences, along with making sobriety a sustainable option.

Contact our team today for more information on supportive treatments and resources for alcoholics, along with the mental health support we offer.