There are gene variations that could predispose a person to mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia. People with mental illness are more prone to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Genetic diseases, on the other hand, are illnesses that are caused by mutations in the person’s DNA. The GABRB1 gene is linked with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. ADH1B gene, also known as the discomfort gene, plays a vital role in how the body responds to alcohol.
- The journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology reports that several genes have been isolated as potential contributors to the hereditary nature of alcoholism.
- Learned behaviors also affect how a person views alcohol later in life.
- Therefore, genes alone do not determine whether someone will develop AUD.
- If someone has a mutation in this area and does not produce enough GABA while sober, they are likelier to abuse alcohol to feel better.
Genes that affect alcohol consumption, including those noted above that affect the
very heavy consumption that is a key aspect of AUDs, can affect the risk for a
disease caused in part by alcohol29. They may increase the overall risk by increasing drinking, or
reduce risk by reducing drinking. Some alleles that reduce heavy drinking can,
nevertheless, increase risk for disease in the subset of individuals who drink
heavily despite having them. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance of developing an alcohol use disorder or addiction. There are hundreds of genes in a person’s DNA that may amplify the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Identifying these genes is difficult because each plays a small role in a much larger picture.
Is AUD genetic?
Many factors contribute, however, to a person becoming an alcoholic. It has been known for a long time that alcoholism is partially hereditary, but also that environment, mental states, peer influence, self-medication, stress, and countless other factors contribute to alcoholism. It’s relatively https://accountingcoaching.online/drinking-at-workplace-work-alcoholism-signs/ easy to see how certain life situations could play a role in someone’s developing an alcohol dependency. A hectic life, peer pressure, high stress… alcohol has been an unfortunate place to turn under these conditions. However, pinpointing the genetic aspect of alcoholism has been a rocky road.
Genetic disorders are diagnosable conditions directly caused by genetic mutations that are inherited or occur later in life from environmental exposure. Your genetic risk refers to the likelihood that specific genes or genetic variants passed down to you will lead to a particular condition. Your genetics can influence how likely you are to develop AUD, but there’s currently no evidence of a specific gene that directly causes AUD once you start drinking.
How Do Genes Affect the Brain and Addiction?
For instance, the ADH1B gene, commonly studied in association studies, has been linked to the brain’s reward pathways. Researchers from the IU Alcohol Research Center used animal models to explore the genetics of alcohol use disorder. Analyzing 3 billion DNA base pairs across 70 animals, they identified genes linked to drinking behaviors. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a subset of the government’s health-focused .gov entities, has been at the forefront of alcohol research. Their mission is not just to understand the genetics of alcohol use disorder but also to provide resources and support for those struggling with substance abuse.
NIAAA has funded the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) since 1989, with the goal of identifying the specific genes that influence alcohol use disorder. In addition, NIAAA funds investigators’ research in this important field, and also has an in-house research emphasis on the interaction of genes and the environment. NIAAA is committed to learning more about how genes affect AUD so that treatment—and prevention efforts—can continue to be developed and improved. Scientists have found that there is a 50% chance of being predisposed to alcohol use disorder (AUD) if your family has a history of alcohol misuse. If there’s a history of alcoholism in the family, you have a higher risk of developing AUD. The more close relatives suffer from this condition, the higher your risk.
Genetics and Alcohol Tolerance
NIAAA reports that around half of the risk of alcoholism can be linked to genetics, meaning that the disease is considered to be at least partially hereditary and can run in families. This does not mean that just because you have a parent or sibling who struggles with alcoholism, you will, too. It just means that there may be certain risk factors, or genes, involved. Genetics and family history are the most correlated with risk of AUD; in fact, genetic risk is about half of the problem, while family history is the other half. Certainly, genetics are passed down through families, but family history also includes the environment in which one was raised. Childhood abuse, parental struggles, and mental illness in close family members all contribute to the risk of developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Our DNA dictates our physical characteristics (such as eye color) and also our behavioral characteristics (such as aggression).
First and perhaps foremost, most studies of
alcohol-related phenotypes have been small – hundreds or a few thousand
samples. Most robust associations that have been reported in common disease have
employed tens of thousands of samples and are now beginning to combine several
studies MASH Certified Sober Homes of these magnitude into even larger meta analyses. The alcohol research
community has begun to form larger consortia for meta-analyses and it is anticipated
that with the resulting increase in sample size the number of robust associations
will increase.
