Is alcoholism genetic? ?!
Question: Is alcoholism genetic.? .?
Answers:
i had issues until i just started telling myself "no"....anyone can do it, willpowerHealth Question & Answer
Maybe, maybe not. How's that for a specific answer.?
Science has not found "smoking gun" proof that alcoholism is genetic. They haven't found specific genes, in other words.
Circumstantial evidence, however, abounds.
Children of alcoholics (and grandchildren of alcoholics as well) are significantly more likely to be alcoholics themselves. However, this does not demonstrate a genetic basis any more than children of coal miners being significantly more likely to grow up to be coal miners shows that coal mining is a genetic career.
"Separated at birth" twin studies are a bit more convincing. An alcoholic twin's never-met sibling is somewhat more likely to be an alcoholic. This seems to rule out "learned behavior" as the link in these cases.
The main weakness from all of the data is the OTHER addiction data. Children of alcoholics are more likely to smoke, have gambling problems, etc. So perhaps there is a genetic basis for addiction in general, with alcoholism being just one form.
The strongest evidence of causation for alcoholism in any study comes from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES). Roughly 30,000 people were scored based on the number of negative elements in their lives as children: incarcerated parent, alcohol/drug addicted parent, domestic violence (partner abuse and/or child abuse), undiagnosed mental illness in the family and several other factors. Higher ACES scores as children were strongly correllated with numerous unhealthfull activities as adults: alcoholism, street drugs, smoking, obesity, >20 lifetime sexual partners, suicide attempts, etc. (No surprise, then, that higher ACES scores were also predictive of shortened lives, STDS, COPD, liver problems, etc.)
Long story short: I am unaware of strong evidence for a genetic basis for alcohol. I wouldn't be stunned if a genetic basis for addiction in general turned up. Environmental factors, though, seem to be strong predictors here.Health Question & Answer
Science has not found "smoking gun" proof that alcoholism is genetic. They haven't found specific genes, in other words.
Circumstantial evidence, however, abounds.
Children of alcoholics (and grandchildren of alcoholics as well) are significantly more likely to be alcoholics themselves. However, this does not demonstrate a genetic basis any more than children of coal miners being significantly more likely to grow up to be coal miners shows that coal mining is a genetic career.
"Separated at birth" twin studies are a bit more convincing. An alcoholic twin's never-met sibling is somewhat more likely to be an alcoholic. This seems to rule out "learned behavior" as the link in these cases.
The main weakness from all of the data is the OTHER addiction data. Children of alcoholics are more likely to smoke, have gambling problems, etc. So perhaps there is a genetic basis for addiction in general, with alcoholism being just one form.
The strongest evidence of causation for alcoholism in any study comes from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES). Roughly 30,000 people were scored based on the number of negative elements in their lives as children: incarcerated parent, alcohol/drug addicted parent, domestic violence (partner abuse and/or child abuse), undiagnosed mental illness in the family and several other factors. Higher ACES scores as children were strongly correllated with numerous unhealthfull activities as adults: alcoholism, street drugs, smoking, obesity, >20 lifetime sexual partners, suicide attempts, etc. (No surprise, then, that higher ACES scores were also predictive of shortened lives, STDS, COPD, liver problems, etc.)
Long story short: I am unaware of strong evidence for a genetic basis for alcohol. I wouldn't be stunned if a genetic basis for addiction in general turned up. Environmental factors, though, seem to be strong predictors here.Health Question & Answer
The potential for alcoholism is carried on a specific gene, and I don't remember which one. This would suggest that one could easily inherit the gene or not. And if your generation does not receive the gene, could be passed on to your children.
Alcoholism/addiction can also be a learned behavior.
Often times, it's potential for depression/anxiety that are carried in the genes, which a person would want to self medicate for (alcohol/drugs).
Hope this helpsHealth Question & Answer
Alcoholism/addiction can also be a learned behavior.
Often times, it's potential for depression/anxiety that are carried in the genes, which a person would want to self medicate for (alcohol/drugs).
Hope this helpsHealth Question & Answer
yes and no. If you have the alcoholic gene, you will not neccesarily become an alcoholic but you are predisposed to it. I don't know the exact figures, but I think you are at least 3 times more likely to become an alcoholic if you have parents or grandparents that are alocoholics, but merely having alcoholic parents does not mean you will automatically become an alcoholic because you would have to drink first. Example, my grandfather and mother on my mom's side are both alcoholics, my mom is not, all 3 of her brothers are. Additionally, if you drink before the age of 18, you are also much more likely to become an alcoholic, so if you have alcoholic relatives and start drinking at a young age, you are pretty much screwed like me :-)Health Question & Answer
While many people believe it is not genetic, most doctors will agree that family members with past alcoholism are more likely to pass it on to their kids, which in return become more likely to have alcoholism.Health Question & Answer
I think every case is different! I personally have alcoholism on both sides of my family and I rarely touch the stuff. So I think its all in the person! Hope I helped!Health Question & Answer
men have more chance of being an alcoholic
if a male member of ur family (dad or grandad, not so much ur brother) becomes an alcoholic ur chances of becoming an alcoholic are raised even more
hope i helped
xHealth Question & Answer
if a male member of ur family (dad or grandad, not so much ur brother) becomes an alcoholic ur chances of becoming an alcoholic are raised even more
hope i helped
xHealth Question & Answer
I would say 80% of the time A BIG YES!!Health Question & Answer