Some of the behavioral characteristics which are passed from the parents to their kids are tendencies towards alcohol abuse and addiction. To mention, people who were genetically predisposed to alcohol disorders have greater chances of developing addiction among people who are alcohol abusers. Important to note, although parents can pass strong inclinations to their offspring, adoption of an alcoholic disorder, likewise, depends on environmental factors. Surprisingly, a good number of people who inherit genes heightening their risk of developing alcohol disorder drinks responsibly, or can never attempt to drink in their entire lifetime. Besides, reliable sources point out that genes are only responsible for about half of the risks for alcohol use disorder. Therefore, regarding the above, genes alone cannot define the chances of one developing alcohol use disorder. Environmental factors together with social contacts result in the other proportion.
S cientists have yet to recognized a single gene that causes alcohol use disorder. The DNA of a person contains hundreds of genes that may trigger the risk of adopting alcoholism. However, recognition of these genes is challenging because each gene takes on a different role in amplifying alcoholism. Researchers reveal that definite amalgamations of genes are intensely connected to addiction (Edenberg & Foroud, 2014). For instance, there are specified behavioral genes that can be passed from parent to offspring which can impact an inclination for alcohol use disorder. Mental illnesses are common in individuals with a family history of alcoholism. Apparently, according to Schuckit (2014), people suffering from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression have a higher probability of submitting to alcohol abuse as a method of coping. Mental illnesses can be inherited, which moderately lightens the intricate relationship between genetics and alcoholism. Thus, genes play a significant role in developing alcohol use disorder, but it impacts the development of alcoholism partially.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The hereditary process is only responsible for about half of the alcoholic reckoning. Verhulst, Neale, and Kendler (2015) assert that the fraction of jeopardy for alcohol use disorder that stands as a result of heritability, according to the family and twin studies, is ranging between 40% to 60%. Although various scholars claim that there is a prospect that a slight number of a genetic factor might openly effect alcohol addiction, Enoch (2013) argues that there is higher chance that the related genes impact a variety of genetically predisposed intermediate traits that successively influence the risk for alcohol abuse and other alcohol health related problems. These common characteristics are also referred to as endophenotypes. Indeed, each of these endophenotypes is probable to imitate the engagements of numerous genes and to re-count to both hereditary and environmental impacts (Edenberg, & Foroud, 2013). Therefore, genes indirectly influence alcoholism through affecting genetic characteristics that can result in alcohol addiction. However, environmental aspects also take the account.
Although major studies revolve around heredities and alcoholism, environmental factors impact alcoholism tremendously. To mention, numerous environmental aspects may result in alcohol disorder. For instance, some individuals are more profound to stress, making it difficult for them to manage a poor relationship or stressful life situations (Delphi Behavioral Health Group, 2018). Besides, some people can experience a fracturing occasion which breaks them and forces them to empress alcohol to self-medicate. Therefore, environmental factors such as stress, work, and relationships affect alcoholic use disorder. Subsequently, hereditary traits interrelate with environmental factors to create the grounds of individual's decisions. Thus, even people who have high risks of developing alcohol use disorders due to genetic factors must first be motivated by environmental influence to do it (Treatment Professionals, 2018). Environmental factors usually act as a catalyst that results in alcohol abuse. Clear examples of environmental dynamics which are most dangerous for people who are heritably disposed of are not limited to drug availability, sexual manipulation, and Peer pressure.
Conclusively, no distinct gene that causes alcohol use disorder has been identified. However, a combination of several genes may influence alcohol use disorder. The genes can influence alcoholism directly through the inheritance of behavioral genes such as mental illness that leads to alcohol abuse or indirectly through altering common characteristics which affect the risks of alcohol abuse. Nevertheless, genetic factors affect about half of alcoholism development. Environmental factors play a significant role in triggering alcoholism. Even if an individual has genetic factors that are inclined to alcohol abuse, environmental factors always come into play to catalyze the process. Therefore, a combination of both genetic and environmental factors leads to alcohol use disorder.
References
Delphi Behavioral Health Group (November 19 2018). Genetics of Alcoholism. Addiction Center
Edenberg, H. J., &Foroud, T. (2013).Genetics and alcoholism. Nature reviews Gastroenterology &hepatology , 10 (8), 487.
Edenberg, H. J., &Foroud, T. (2014).Genetics of alcoholism. In Handbook of clinical neurology (Vol. 125, pp. 561-571).Elsevier.
Enoch, M. A. (2013). Genetic influences on the development of alcoholism. Current psychiatry reports , 15 (11), 412.
Schuckit, M. A. (2014). A brief history of research on the genetics of alcohol and other drug use disorders. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Supplement , (s17), 59-67.
Treatment Professionals. (November 26 2018). Is Alcoholism Hereditary or Genetic ? American Addiction Center
Verhulst, B., Neale, M. C., &Kendler, K. S. (2015). The heritability of alcohol use disorders: a meta-analysis of twin and adoption studies. Psychological medicine , 45 (5), 1061-1072.
