While many people incorrectly believe that addiction is simply a lack of willpower, our genetics play a large role in whether we will develop an alcohol addiction.
As unfair as this may be, people with a family history of addiction are more likely to develop an addiction themselves and should take extra precautions around all addictive substances and behaviours – including alcohol.
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease.
Someone with alcoholism is unable to control the amount of alcohol they drink and will continue drinking despite the negative consequences.
They have developed a tolerance to alcohol and need to drink more to get the same effects and will also experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking.
If not properly treated, alcoholism can be deadly.
Over time alcohol addiction can lead to brain damage, liver and kidney problems, heart failure and increased risk of cancer.
We are all made up of DNA, the molecule that contains the instructions for our development. DNA is formed from genes which are passed down from both parents and result in a unique combination for each person.
Genes are what determine physical attributes such as your hair and eye colour alongside other traits that influence your health.
As a result, your parents can pass down a predisposition towards alcoholism through their genes. [1]
If you have a biological family member with a history of alcohol addiction, you are more likely to develop an alcohol addiction yourself than someone who has no addiction in their family.
Even if you never touch a drop of alcohol, you are genetically predisposed to alcoholism.
Studies have found that genetics play a 50% role in the development of alcohol addiction, with 51 genes currently thought to contribute towards alcoholism. [2]
These genes are responsible for several factors including how someone feels after drinking alcohol, how severe their hangovers are, how quickly the alcohol breaks down in their body and whether they will stop drinking or continue even after they are intoxicated.
While genetics do play a part in alcohol addiction, there is no specific gene that causes it.
Scientists are still studying our DNA to determine what exactly makes someone more susceptible to developing an addiction, but they have found that there are certain gene combinations that can increase the risk – not one specific gene.
Our DNA is made up of between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, and there may be hundreds of them that play a role in increasing the potential for addiction. [3]
As genetics are responsible for just 50% of the risk for developing an alcohol addiction, it goes without saying that something else contributes to the other 50%.
Your environment plays a large role in whether you will develop an alcohol addiction.
Even if you are genetically predisposed to addiction, your environment will still need to interact with your genes to result in addiction – it won’t just appear out of the blue.
This includes factors like stress, traumatic events, living in poverty and other components which will be discussed further in this blog post.
No one is born with an alcohol addiction.
Although it’s possible to be born with a genetic disposition and a higher likelihood of developing an addiction, it is the combination of this trait and your environment that can determine whether you will develop an alcohol addiction.
Many people who drink in moderation or even not at all are born with genes that make them more susceptible to addiction.
Some babies are born to mothers who drank heavily throughout pregnancy, and these babies will go through withdrawals after birth.
While these babies will be more susceptible to addiction for the rest of their lives, their environment will help to determine whether they develop a substance use disorder.
Someone who can drink large amounts of alcohol before feeling the effects is said to have a high tolerance.
While some people believe this is passed down through generations, the truth is that alcohol tolerance is not genetic.
It builds up over time as you drink larger amounts of alcohol and can be a key indicator of alcohol addiction.
While alcohol tolerance is not thought to be passed down, alcohol intolerance is based in genetics.
It is known as alcohol sensitivity and symptoms can include flushed skin or a stuffy nose after drinking alcohol.
People of Asian descent are more likely to have alcohol intolerance, and this is because the specific genes that cause this can be passed down throughout generations.
The idea that you may be inherently at risk of developing an alcohol addiction can be concerning.
While there is no way to know for sure whether you will eventually become addicted to alcohol, there are certain risk factors that can give you an idea of how likely it is.
Being aware of these risk factors can also help to shape your decisions and behaviour around alcohol, further reducing your chances of developing alcoholism.
As discussed previously, your genetics play a large role in whether you will develop an addiction.
If a close family member has struggled with addiction, you are likely to be predisposed to developing an addiction yourself.
Studies have shown that people who suffer from alcohol sensitivity are less likely to develop an alcohol addiction due to the discomfort that they experience when drinking.
Many studies have found that people living in lower-income areas are more likely to binge drink and potentially develop an alcohol addiction. [4]
While addiction does not discriminate, factors such as social stigma and less access to treatment services may play a role in this sad statistic.
Even something as seemingly random as the country you live in can influence your likelihood of developing an alcohol addiction.
Those who live in countries where alcohol is banned or restricted, for example, are less likely to become addicted as there is simply less access.
Growing up in an environment where heavy drinking and alcohol misuse are common and even celebrated can be a factor in developing an alcohol addiction, as the act of drinking large amounts of alcohol is normalised among family members.
As well as genetic and environmental risk factors, there are other elements that can increase the risk of developing an alcohol addiction:
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have developed an alcohol addiction, try to avoid self-diagnosing.
Even if you are correct, there are several stages and degrees of addiction that require different types of treatment.
It’s best to get a professional diagnosis to ensure you get the specific help you need.
Your doctor may perform one or more of the tests listed below to understand the type and severity of your addiction.
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is an alcohol screening test that is commonly used by doctors to determine whether you have an alcohol addiction and how severe the addiction is.
The AUDIT consists of 10 simple questions relating to your alcohol use – the full test can be found here. [6]
Another useful tool to diagnose alcohol addiction is the CAGE test. [7]
You will be asked the following questions:
If you answer ‘yes’ to two or more of these questions, you may be diagnosed with a form of alcohol addiction.
This test is similar to the CAGE test but is aimed specifically at pregnant women. You will be asked the following questions:
As with the CAGE test, your answers will determine whether you could potentially have an alcohol addiction – answering ‘yes’ to two or more questions could indicate dependence.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is a text that contains information on every currently recognised mental health disorder.
Within the DSM-5 there are 11 criteria that must be met for an addiction to be diagnosed, so your doctor will ask questions to determine whether you meet the criteria.
The 11 criteria of the DSM-5 can be found here. [8]
Even if you are genetically predisposed towards addiction, this doesn’t mean you are doomed to a life of alcoholism.
There are several precautions that you can take to reduce your chances of developing an alcohol addiction.
The most effective way to avoid developing an alcohol addiction is by making the decision to stop drinking completely.
Over time, this decision removes the willpower that is often needed to stick to just one or two drinks as it is no longer an option for you.
You do not need to have an alcohol addiction to stop drinking – anyone can choose to avoid alcohol for any reason.
However, if you have been drinking alcohol on a regular basis for some time then it is best to seek medical advice before stopping completely.
If you don’t want to give up alcohol completely, make sure you know your limits and stick to them.
No amount of alcohol is completely safe, but the NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol each week.
This equates to around 6 medium-sized glasses of wine or 6 pints of beer. [9]
These 14 units should not be consumed in one sitting – this is known as binge drinking and can be a step towards alcohol addiction.
Instead, spread your drinks out over 3 or more days throughout the week and try to have several days that are completely alcohol-free.
Some people can be pushy when it comes to alcohol, and you may feel pressured to drink more than you originally planned.
Take note of the friends, family members and co-workers who encourage you to drink and make you feel guilty for refusing, and instead spend time with people who are happy to meet for coffee or just stick to one or two drinks.
It can be easy to turn to alcohol when times get tough, but the addictive properties of alcohol can make it difficult to stop even when your situation improves.
It’s common for people to drink more when they’re stressed or unhappy, but it’s important to remember that this won’t solve your problems.
In fact, it can make them worse.
Instead, turn to a trusted friend, family member or counsellor when you’re feeling low.
Talking about your problems and feelings is much more effective than drowning them in a bottle.
A fully stocked liquor cabinet or bar cart can be satisfying to look at, but over time it can put you at risk of developing an alcohol addiction.
If you have alcohol within reach at all times of the day, you are far more likely to drink it than if you must get in the car and drive to the supermarket.
Keep your home an alcohol-free zone and make drinking alcohol a deliberate act that requires some effort.
Alcohol addiction is a disease that can ruin lives, both for the person with addiction and their loved ones.
Whether a person’s alcoholism has been prompted mainly by genetics or by their environment and life experiences is irrelevant to their ultimate need for treatment.
There is always help available for those struggling with alcohol addiction, whatever their specific needs may be.
Every drug and alcohol rehab in the UK we work with is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (England and Wales) or the Care Inspectorate (Scotland).
To learn more about accessing your ideal drug and alcohol rehab to help you overcome alcohol addiction, contact our team today on 0800 140 4690
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4037586/
[2] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder/genetics-alcohol-use-disorder
[4] https://www.washington.edu/news/2017/05/15/where-you-live-may-impact-how-much-you-drink/
[5] https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/40/5/453/188522
[6] https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/files/AUDIT.pdf
[7] https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/1729/cage-questions-alcohol-use
[8]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565474/table/nycgsubuse.tab9/
[9] https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
