In the last two blogs I did, I focused on the idea of Nature versus Nurture. But I picked topics that focused more on genetics rather than the human’s behavior. This time I wanted to pick a topic that is more of a human behavior rather than genetic illness, Alcoholism.
Research show that people with alcoholic parents who lived in the same house hold with there parents are more likely to be alcoholic than kids with alcoholic biological parents who lived in stable houses.
We all know that alcoholism can often be in families and can also be randomized. But, there is no strong genetic link between alcoholism and genes.
The NIAAA researchers determined that genes can be a factor that causes alcoholism, however it’s not as strong as environmental factors. They believe it’s the combination of both.
Dr. Enoch Gordis explained to us a theory that genetic is a risk, but not destiny. Unlike Schizophrenia, alcoholism has to do with the environmental factors more than it has to do with genes. Yes, genes can higher the risk, but it doesn’t mean that it automatically makes you an alcoholic.
When something is more reliable on environmental factors than genes, it’s mostly a choice. The way that person chooses to live his life facto a lot in whether he’s becoming an alcoholic or not.
So a question that goes through my mind, can addiction be genetic?
Just like smoking, eating chocolate and listening to music, alcoholism is an addiction rather than a disease.
The University of Utah did a research on whether someone could be born an addict or not. “We don’t look for “addiction genes,” what we’re really looking for are biological differences that may make someone more or less vulnerable to addiction. “
After doing a lot of research, I came to the conclusion that no one is born an addict. Some people are more vulnerable to addiction than others, which is inherit through genes. However the main cause of alcoholism relies more on environmental factors rather than genes, as it’s the deal breaker. Again, no one is born an addict.
Works Cited
“Genes and Addiction.” Genes and Addiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
“The Interesting Link Between Alcoholism and Genetics.” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
“Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorders.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
“No Biological or Genetic Mechanisms Have Been Identified That Account for Addictive Behavior.” Is Addiction Is Genetically Inherited? Or Is It a Learned Behavior? N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2014.
I agree with you, that alcoholism is due to both nature and nurture, but more so nurture. I definitely believe that addiction is a result of personal choices and the environment you grow up in versus genetics.
My family member has alcoholism and so did his dad.His mother never drank. His sisters and two brothers do not have alcoholism even though some do drink. does this mean they all have the gene of alcoholism and are better at controlling it or does it mean they received a different gene from their mother that the alcoholic brother does not have? I thought it was genetic until reading this post and looking at this family situation differently. this post made me realize if it was genetic, probably more than 1 out of 5 children would be alcoholics.