Is Alcoholism Genetic? Why Alcohol Use Disorder Runs in Families

This gene is involved in the way our brains respond to alcohol, and people with certain variations of the gene may be more susceptible to developing alcoholism. Another gene called ADH1B has been linked to an increased risk of alcohol-related liver disease. Similarly, risk-taking behavior has been linked to an increased risk of alcoholism. People who score high in this trait tend to be more willing to try new things, take chances, and seek out novel experiences.

Your genetics don’t only increase your risk of AUD — they may have protective elements as well. Linkage-disequilibrium patterns differ across populations, which is one reason that discovery GWAS of European ancestry may not lead to maximally-predictive PGS in non-European https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ancestry target samples (Martin et al., 2019). It is thus imperative, in the interest of scientific discovery and ensuring that everyone benefits equally from those discoveries, that future SUD GWAS focus on increasing the number of samples of non-European ancestry.

Genetics of alcohol-associated diseases

GWAS are
beginning to yield robust findings, although the experience in many diseases is
that very large numbers of subjects will be needed. To date, individual GWAS
studies on alcohol dependence and related phenotypes have been relatively modest
in size, and most do not reach genome-wide significance. This may reflect both
the limited sample sizes and the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of the
disease.

  • In 2021, more than 46 million people in the United States aged 12 or older had at least one substance use disorder, and only 6.3% had received treatment.
  • However, friends and peers who drink can provide both the opportunity and pressure to use alcohol.
  • Genome-wide data on 14,904 DSM-IV diagnosed AD individuals and 37,944 controls from 28 case/control and family-based studies were meta-analyzed for PGC’s AD GWAS.
  • While genetics certainly play a role in determining who is more likely to develop alcoholism, it’s important to remember that they’re not the only factor.
  • Alcohol use disorder can be hereditary or genetic, which means it can run in families.

Mirroring findings from twin and family studies, GWAS of CanUD have identified significant genetic overlap between CanUD and other SUDs and measures of substance use. CanUD showed significant positive genetic correlations with smoking initiation, ND, CPD, DPW, and AUD (rg ranging from 0.31 to 0.66; Table 1; Johnson et al., 2020b). Twin and family studies have estimated that ~50% of the liability to opioid dependence is due to additive genetic factors (Berrettini, 2017; Kendler, Jacobson, Prescott, & Neale, 2003; Tsuang, Bar, Harley, & Lyons, 2001).

Related Health Topics

The second step is metabolism of the
acetaldehyde to acetate by ALDHs; again, there are many aldehyde dehydrogenases,
among which ALDH2 has the largest impact on alcohol consumption20. Genetic and environmental factors can affect the reward system’s function. Think of it this way—if your family had another hereditary health condition, such as a gene mutation that causes sickle cell disease or breast cancer, you’d talk about it, right? There’s no shame in helping your loved ones avoid risk factors and recognize the primary symptoms of potential generational substance abuse. “Substance use disorders and mental disorders often co-occur, and we know that the most effective treatments help people address both issues at the same time.

  • Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol or continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems.
  • The oral cavity and esophagus are
    directly exposed to those levels, and the liver is exposed to high levels from the
    portal circulation.
  • It’s a chronic condition characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of alcohol, despite harmful consequences.
  • Studies are
    revealing other genes in which variants impact risk for alcoholism or related
    traits, including GABRA2, CHRM2,
    KCNJ6, and AUTS2.
  • If drinking alcohol makes you feel ill, you may be more likely to avoid alcohol in the first place, which can reduce the chances of developing alcohol use disorder.

But by understanding how specific inherited traits can contribute to addiction, we may be better equipped to identify people who are at a higher risk and intervene earlier. Our genetic makeup as a whole can influence our risk of addiction by affecting things like how our brains respond to alcohol and other substances. In the study of complex disorders, it has become apparent that quite
large sample sizes are critical if robust association results are to be
identified which replicate across studies. Unfortunately, studies of alcohol
dependence have not yet attained these sample sizes. Meta-analyses, which
combine results across a number of studies in order to attain the critical
sample sizes needed, are being developed. Some genes may contribute to an increased susceptibility to addictions
in general.

What is considered 1 drink?

They seem to lose fewer inhibitions and tolerate alcohol for longer before they pass out. At Willingway, we believe addiction is disease that can devastate the entire family. Fortunately, we also know through recovery, families can heal together and emerge stronger. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Environmental factors also account for the risk of alcohol and drug abuse.2 Scientists are learning more about how epigenetics affect our risk of developing AUD. The field will continue to see significant advances in genetic discovery as larger sample sizes of individuals of diverse ancestry begin to become realized. It is the hope that these continued advancements will have clinically meaningful implications for SUD prevention and treatment in the future. Recent efforts have been made to bring molecular genetic findings from large-scale GWAS of SUDs to translational relevance, especially in terms of genetic prediction of SUDs. However, the complexity of SUDs makes genetic prediction efforts difficult and potentially fraught – they are polygenic, heterogeneous, and multifactorial disorders heavily influenced by environmental factors (including access). Some mental health conditions may be a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder, including clinical depression and schizophrenia, which also have a genetic component.

Research has shown that genetics can play a significant role in determining who is more likely to become addicted to alcohol. Impulsivity refers to a tendency to act without thinking through the consequences – to “act first and think later,” so to speak. Research has shown that people who score high in impulsivity are more likely to develop alcohol addiction, likely because they’re more prone to taking risks and seeking out rewarding experiences (like drinking).

For example, if we don’t get enough sleep or eat a healthy diet, we may be more vulnerable to addiction. And of course, drinking heavily or using drugs can increase our risk of addiction as well. Of course, not everyone who has a family member with alcoholism will develop the condition themselves. But it’s important to be aware of your hereditary risk factors and take steps to reduce your risk if necessary. If you’re concerned about your drinking habits or those of a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. They determine everything from your eye color to your risk of certain diseases.

What is the Genetic Heritability of Alcoholism?

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 https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/genetics-of-alcoholism-is-alcohol-abuse-hereditary/ have inherited genes making them susceptible to alcoholism are responsible drinkers or never take a drink in their life. Factors that increase the risk of this condition include depression or other psychiatric disorders and certain psychological traits, including impulsivity and low self-esteem.

  • This risk is considered hereditary and may be passed down to you if you have a family history of AUD.
  • Hugo Bellen, a geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said the study “lays the foundation for a genetic approach to dissecting the acute, and possibly the chronic, effects” of alcohol in people.
  • Women generally consume less alcohol, but they achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood, which makes them more susceptible to organ damage.
  • In this article, we’ve talked about the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and lifestyle when it comes to alcohol addiction.