The Link Between Alcoholism and Genetics

The link between alcoholism and genetics is still being explored and there remains much to be learned. It has long been the belief that if you have alcoholic parents you have a much greater chance of becoming an alcoholic yourself. However, the role of genetics in this puzzle is still being determined.

The argument that your genetics play a big part how likely you are to becoming an alcoholic gained some ground with the scientific study on the CREB gene that was completed around 2004. The CREB gene produces a protein called cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein, which is also known as the CREB protein. The study suggests that there is a link between the gene and the addiction to alcohol, which reaffirms the long held belief that alcoholism and genetics are very closely related.

Along with the discovery of the so-called ‘alcoholic gene’, the scientists also discovered that anxiety and depression play a major role in whether or not you are more likely to become an alcoholic. Since drinking is a way for many to dull the pain of a stressful or unfulfilling life, it only seems natural that when anxiety and depression levels increase, the dependence on alcohol would increase as well. And if you are one who has the defective CREB gene, this can lead to a slide into the realm of alcoholism. It also seems that the ‘alcoholic gene’ is passed from one generation to the next (which argues for the connection between alcoholism and genetics), which is why you are much more likely to become an alcoholic if you have alcoholic parents.

However, simply because you have inherited the CREB gene does not mean that you will certainly become an alcoholic. It simply means that you are more susceptible to alcoholism. Besides inheriting the ‘alcoholic gene’, another factor that may play a major role in alcohol addiction is the environment.

In addition to noting the role of the CREB gene in alcoholism and genetics, the environment in which you are reared seems to have a big impact on whether or not you become an alcoholic. Constant stress and anxiety are major contributors. Often when you have alcoholic parents, the environment is volatile and unstable. Living in such an environment from day to day is definitely stressful and may make it more likely that you will become addicted to alcohol as an adult.

Even if you do not have alcoholic parents, other things in your environment could be stressful enough to contribute to alcoholism. Some of these things include peer and parental pressure and rebellion against parental and societal authority. There many more potential outside stressors that could lead to alcoholism and they vary from person to person, because anxiety and stress is somewhat subjective. What may cause you a great deal of anxiety may not even be a cause of conce
for someone else.

If you have both alcoholic parents and lots of outside stress, the odds of alcoholism are much greater, especially if you have the defective CREB gene as well.

It seems that if you inherit the ‘alcoholic gene’ it is more difficult for you to handle anxiety and/or depression. Since the CREB gene is involved in alcohol tolerance and dependence, a defective gene increases your tolerance for alcohol and makes you more dependent upon it, especially in stressful situations. This is because not enough of the CREB protein is produced. In other words, in situations where the defective gene is present, the brain has trouble knowing when ‘enough is enough’.

There is still a lot to be learned about the link between alcoholism and genetics. Scientists are still studying how the ‘alcoholic gene’ affects those who inherit it. However, simply knowing that you possess a defective copy of the gene is helpful in preventing a downward spiral into the world of alcoholism. Having this knowledge helps if you are susceptible to alcoholism and makes it easier to take the necessary steps for prevention.