Understanding the Genetic and Environmental Factors of Alcoholism: Children of Alcoholic Parents at Higher Risk

2023-06-04 10:00:00

Children of alcohol-dependent parents are four times more likely to become alcoholics, according to a 1985 study.

But this is not an arithmetic proof that alcoholism is hereditary. The transmission of this dependency certainly has a genetic componentbut “the” gene of predisposition to alcoholism does not exist. They are undoubtedly several to increase the susceptibility to develop an addiction to alcohol. Some will act on the availability of alcohol in the body while others will impact the reward circuit and therefore our pleasure.

Alcohol addiction also depends on the environment

But these so-called “susceptibility” genes will only favor thealcohol dependence unless they are associated with other environmental factors. Anxiety, tendency to depression but also consumption from adolescence increase the risk. Thanks to twin studies, it is estimated that 40-50% of this risk is determined by genes. In addition, some genes are protective. Likewise, heredity can work in our favor. Some children of alcoholic parents react by not drinking a drop of alcohol.