Alcohol/Drug Abuse Genetic?

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Aureole

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Has anyone else heard the claim that alcohol and drug abuse may be linked genetically? I’ve searched for some more information on this, but I can’t seem to find much. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of genetics having a hand in alcohol or drug abuse.
 
I have also heard someone could be genetically pre-disposed to becoming an addict/abuser.
 
I have heard of this connection as well.

But it matters for different reasons to different people.

Some people use the fact that there could be a genetic cause or predisposition to excuse the behavior. The addict takes on the role of victim “it’s not my fault, I was born this way” and uses that as an excuse to not try to change their behavior.

But some people see the link to genetics as a cause for hope that we can do even more to help people overcome addiction, or better yet not have to suffer from it at all.

Malia
 
Thanks for the links Karin. I checked them out and it helped out a bit. I’m still as wary as you are though, it seems rather odd to link alcohol/drug abuse to genetics, but I’m sure they have said that about many other things that prove to be true.
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mjdonnelly:
I have also heard someone could be genetically pre-disposed to becoming an addict/abuser.
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Yeah, I think this is just another facet of my question.
Feanaro's Wife:
I have heard of this connection as well.

But it matters for different reasons to different people.

Some people use the fact that there could be a genetic cause or predisposition to excuse the behavior. The addict takes on the role of victim “it’s not my fault, I was born this way” and uses that as an excuse to not try to change their behavior.

But some people see the link to genetics as a cause for hope that we can do even more to help people overcome addiction, or better yet not have to suffer from it at all.

Malia
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I rather disdain when people use the “It’s not my fault, I was born this way” excuse. But I do agree, if we can find the cause then we can better obtain a remedy.
 
Hi! I have been involved in addictions counselling as a social worker for many years. There is, or there maybe, a genetic component to addictions. A “Predisposition”. However, it doesn’t follow on like night to day, that the person with a genetic disposition WILL become a drunk or a crack head. An individual;'s addiction to drugs or alcohol owes as much, even more to learned behaviour that is to say, if you see your daddy or your mummy getting caned every day you may believe that that is what all grown-ups do, all the time. It also depends on whether one possesses a strong will and mind of one’s own and so can make choices for oneself.

This is of course a rather simplified schema and the mechanisms that lead to addiction or not addiction, are very complicated and, in fact, are not fully understood.
 
Cockney Clive:
Hi! I have been involved in addictions counselling as a social worker for many years. There is, or there maybe, a genetic component to addictions. A “Predisposition”. However, it doesn’t follow on like night to day, that the person with a genetic disposition WILL become a drunk or a crack head. An individual;'s addiction to drugs or alcohol owes as much, even more to learned behaviour that is to say, if you see your daddy or your mummy getting caned every day you may believe that that is what all grown-ups do, all the time. It also depends on whether one possesses a strong will and mind of one’s own and so can make choices for oneself.

This is of course a rather simplified schema and the mechanisms that lead to addiction or not addiction, are very complicated and, in fact, are not fully understood.
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Thank you very much, this has been rather helpful. I had the thought that alcohol/drug abuse was genetic in that one has a disposition to it, but I haven’t found anything saying it as clearly as you have.
 
Throughout most of the 20th Century, secular humanists used to villify Christianity for the notion of predestination. They said that those Christians who believed in predestination denied their own free will and were simply latching onto any philosophy that would allow them to stop making decisions for themselves.

Now, self-proclaimed scientists have discovered a new form of predestination, the predestination of genetics.

Like Feanaro’s Wife said, some people want to use their genes as an excuse just the same way that people used to use “predestination” as an excuse. The Church never supported a view of predestination that would excuse bad behavior, but people interpreted it that way anyway. The same can be said of the vast majority of genetic research today.

Some people will always be looking for an excuse, rather than admit that they did something wrong. There are factors in all of our lives that make some decisions harder to make than others and I’m sure that genetics can play a role in those hardships, but that’s what grace is for. In the end, the decision is ours to make no matter what our circumstances or our genes. And to top it all off, God is always willing to help us. All we have to do is accept (which is harder than it sounds admittedly, but still, it’s a heck of a great deal for us).
 
I’m married to an (recovering) alcoholic - his family is full of alcoholics; my grandfather was an alcoholic, my dad almost became one, and my brothers, especially my youngest brother, has trouble controlling his alcohol. Some may look at this and say, there’s the proof of genetics, or “predisposition” towards alcoholism, but I feel that environment and weakness of heart contribute greatly to this.

Many of the ones I’m close with who had/have problems with alcohol became that way either through stress, bad family situations, or peer pressure. But they’ve found strength, either through counseling, help, or faith to overcome these burdens, and guard themselves daily to avoid falling back into that trap again.
 
I come from three generations of alcoholics and I am one, too, in recovery. I’ve been sober for over seventeen years now and am living proof that alcoholism can be genetic: every single family member for three generations have been alcoholics, Irish Catholic alcoholics. You do the math!!!
 
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Aureole:
Has anyone else heard the claim that alcohol and drug abuse may be linked genetically? I’ve searched for some more information on this, but I can’t seem to find much. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of genetics having a hand in alcohol or drug abuse.
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Aureole,

There has been conventional wisdom for decades–possibly centuries–that alcoholism runs in families. This may, of course, be nurture rather than nature, but the conventional wisdom does say this.
  • Liberian
who watches his level of alcohol consumption VERY closely for exactly this reason …
 
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Liberian:
Aureole,

There has been conventional wisdom for decades–possibly centuries–that alcoholism runs in families. This may, of course, be nurture rather than nature, but the conventional wisdom does say this.
  • Liberian
who watches his level of alcohol consumption VERY closely for exactly this reason …
Click to expand...
Yeah, I’ve heard of this as well. I just heard the claim that alcoholism is genetic so I thought I would ask around to see if anyone else has heard of this. Honestly I hadn’t heard of it until my friend made the claim.
 
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Aureole:
Yeah, I’ve heard of this as well. I just heard the claim that alcoholism is genetic so I thought I would ask around to see if anyone else has heard of this. Honestly I hadn’t heard of it until my friend made the claim.
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Science has only just begun to unravel the mystery of genetics. Personally, I believe genetics has a great influence on what makes us “us.” Just like the color of your eyes, or your predisposition to baldness, I believe genetics plays a large part in alcoholism and other addictions/compulsions.

The good news is, while you can’t stop your hair from hitting the ground, you can stop your hand from reaching for another drink, although I’m sure it takes a much greater effort of the will for such a person than it does for someone who is not predisposed to such addictions. Just my two cents. Disclaimer: I am neither a scientist nor involved in any genetic experiments. 😛

Mike
 
It has been observed in various twin studies, family studies, etc. that alcohol addiction has an hereditary link. Addiction is mostly biological in nature, so this only makes sense.
As for the nurture v. nature thing, no one is denying that someone raised in a heavy-drinking family is more likely to drink heavily himself, but heavy drinking does not guarantee addiction. Identical twins are more likely to both be alcoholics than fraternal twins. Also, there are demonstrated differences in alcoholism levels and alcohol metabolism among ethnic groups.
 
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