Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Many people wonder, “Is alcoholism hereditary?” Like many other health conditions, such as diabetes and depression, alcoholism does not have just one cause. Genes passed down from parents to children play a role, but this is only part of the story.

If you’ve had a parent with alcohol use disorder and are exhibiting symptoms yourself, reach out to an alcohol addiction rehab center. Getting professional help early on can prevent symptoms of learned or hereditary alcoholism from worsening.

The Medical Answer to, “Is Alcoholism Hereditary?”

If you ask a researcher, doctor, or other scientists, “Is alcoholism hereditary,” their answer will likely be that biology plays a part. But there are other factors in alcoholism. Four factors that influence alcohol use disorder include biology, environment, socialization, and psychology.

Biology

Genes from your parents do affect your vulnerability toward becoming an alcoholic. Scientists have found 51 genes related to alcoholism. If these genes are passed down from family member to family member, you are hard-wired for alcoholism. The genes influence chemicals in the brain that make drinking more pleasurable to people with those genes.

Environmental

Recent studies are looking into how much childhood environment affects the chances of becoming an alcoholic. These studies are reviewing subjects who live near alcohol stores, bars, and other places where drinking is common. They are also examining the role of advertising in alcoholism. Households with income above $75,000 per year tend to lean toward alcoholism in more cases than lower-income homes, according to Gallup researchers.

With this information, experts can prepare for early intervention and loved ones can receive alcohol addiction treatment.

Socialization

Culture, family, religion, and work are all factors in drinking. Family is the strongest influence in all of these. Children whose parents abuse alcohol are more likely to grow up to become alcoholics.

Psychology

Alcoholism is more common for people with a high amount of stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. These co-occurring issues can lead to dual diagnosis treatment. Alcohol is often used to self-medicate and relieve symptoms of these types of disorders.

Risk Factors Can Expand on “Is Alcoholism Hereditary?”

Alcoholism does have hereditary aspects, as explored above. But there are risk factors that make an individual’s chances of being an alcoholic even greater. Risk factors play a role, with or without a family history of alcoholism:

• Starting drinking at a young age, such as in the teens
• High stress at work or home
• Being around others who are alcoholics, such as at home
• Peer pressure
• Frequent drinking
• More than 15 drinks a week for men
• More than 12 drinks a week for women
• Mental health disorder like depression or anxiety disorders

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville Understands Alcoholism

When you need recovery from alcoholism, you need help from a treatment center that understands your lifestyle and how you became an alcoholic in the first place. Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida is an alcohol rehab with a 12-step approach. As part of this approach, you do not just recover from alcohol abuse. You also rebuild your life for better days ahead.

Our alcohol rehab center provides the following services to promote lasting recovery from alcohol abuse:

• Alcohol detox program at Tides Edge
• Men’s and women’s alcohol rehab program
• Inpatient alcohol rehab
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Dual diagnosis treatment program
• Addiction aftercare programs

If you or someone you love is ready to overcome the hereditary and risk factors of alcoholism, call Beaches Recovery now at 866.605.0532. Beaches Recovery is ready to help you the right way the first time. Contact our specialists now for the help you or a loved one needs to overcome alcoholism.