Alcoholism has been closely associated with hereditability; however, the specific genetic interactions are yet to be identified (Enoch, 2013). Many studies have been conducted, and a significant amount of the articles suggest that genetic factors in an individual’s body contribute to the development of alcohol use disorders. Furthermore, the presence of alcohol almost everywhere in the United States encourages people to consume it. Initial consumption may prove to be enjoyable; however, use can as well trigger the genetic factors that predispose an individual to alcoholism. Worsening the matters is that people often do not associate drug abuse with alcohol; they tend to think of other hard drugs. This coupled with its availability leads to alcoholism in genetically predisposed individuals.
However, the person’s environment also has a factor to play in alcoholism. For instance, when one lives in a country where there are minimal regulations on alcohol, consumption will be almost inevitable. Moreover, the abundance in alcohol supply may also be a contributing factor to alcoholism. This means that some people do not necessarily have the alcoholism genes to engage in alcohol-related behavioral disorders; the mere presence of alcohol leads them. Looking at the two sides of alcoholism, the behavior can be associated with both genetic and environmental predicaments that befall an unfortunate individual.
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Enoch (2013) suggests that the environment shapes a person's character traits he/she lives in. Therefore, alcoholic abuse disorders can be influenced by environmental factors such as accessibility to alcohol, exposure to violence, and even peer pressure, though it is more of a social element than the surrounding issues. Schuckit (2014) mirrors Enoch’s study when he claims that environmental factors cause alcoholism as in the case of a child born of non-alcoholic parents but later consumes alcohol later in life due to childhood traumas. Enoch further suggests that addiction has a genetic element which when paired with environmental factors is strongly linked with the high possibility of alcohol abuse disorder.
The problem, however, is that the degree of how these factors interact to bring about alcoholism is not fully understood. Nevertheless, strong evidence suggests that both of these factors have a specific role to play in the development of addiction. The paper will try and explain how a combination of both genetic and environmental factors lead to alcohol use disorder.
Literature Review
This section of the article will review written materials that will help to understand how the two factors; environment and genetics, interact in the contribution of alcoholism. The history and the controversies regarding the discussion will be identified. Moreover, key terminologies will also be defined in an aim to understand the topic better. Several published articles will be used as critical materials for this section.
Schuckit (2014) studied the historical development of genetics on alcohol and other drug use disorders. He noted that genetic studies started as early as 150 years ago, thus laying the foundation for the development of the study of genetics on drug abuse. He further noted that the studies began due to the presence of many families having alcohol problems that have trickled down several generations. Schuckit acknowledged the need for a more comprehensive approach when dealing with the issue of genetics and alcoholism. He suggested that genes might play a significant part; however, the environment is also an important aspect to consider. This is because the situation shapes a person's traits, he/she lives in. He gave an example of a child who may develop alcoholic tendencies despite being born of non-alcoholic parents due to life traumas. In this case, genes do not significantly impact the development of alcoholism, thus warranting for a more holistic approach when dealing with the issue.
Enoch (2013) supported Schuckit’s argument when he suggested that the environment shapes character traits. Alcoholic disorders have been associated with environmental influences such as accessibility to the drinks. An early predisposition to alcohol has been associated with the development of addiction. Delphi Behavioral Health Group (2018) suggest that addiction develops when a person’s abuse of a drug progresses leading to dependence. Alcohol addiction has been noted to result from additional factors other than genetics which is: environmental and psychological factors. In this case, the study affirms to the development of alcoholism due to a multitude of factors such as genetics and ecological considerations.
Alcoholism is a term that has been used to define a pattern associated with excessive drinking of alcohol that leads to severe developmental problems (Edenberg and Foroud, 2013). The authors suggest that there is strong evidence that alcoholism is a genetic disease. They argue that the genes ADH1B and ALDH2, that are responsible for alcohol metabolism have elevated risks on an individual developing addiction. Alcohol is however not adversity as many people believe it to be. Edenberg and Foroud (2013) suggest that alcohol consumed in low amounts of up to a drink for females and two drinks for men can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. It is only in excess when it causes serious problems such as physical, psychological and social adversities.
Enoch (2013) mirrors Edenberg and Foroud’s study after she carried out a survey of genetic influences on the development of alcoholism. In her research, Enoch identified the gene GABRA2 as a significant candidate for the development of alcoholism. She also suggested that other stress-related genes such as CRHR1 may increase the development of addiction as a way to cope with the situation. She further noted that around 45% of Asians are carriers of the ALDH2*2 allele that is responsible for encoding the inactive form of the ALDH2 enzyme. ALDH2 is responsible for the metabolism of alcohol in the body. The presence of this gene results in adverse reactions among the population as mentioned earlier that is characterized by sweating, headaches, and nausea. The gene confers some form of immunity against alcoholism hence affirming to the notion of genetic conditions playing a role in the development of the disorder.
Looking at the above literature review, it is clear that alcoholism develops due to several factors that include genetics and the environment. When both of these factors affect an individual, there exists high occurrence for the development of alcoholism. Each element on its own cannot be identified as the sole cause of addiction, however, when both are coupled, chances more than double. Environmental factors that play a significant part in the development of alcoholism include access to the drug, especially in countries like the United States which have fewer legislative policies that govern the distribution and use of alcohol.
Genetics on the other hand mainly affects the enzymes that metabolize alcohol. Presence of the genes encourages an individual to consume more and more alcohol, leading to addiction. Furthermore, the absence of the genes renders an individual immune to alcoholism due to the adverse effects that cause them to stop consumption. 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.
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.
