Many people ask, “Is alcoholism genetic?” The answer is almost certainly “Yes.” Still, many risk factors outside one’s genetics can increase one’s risk of addiction. Meanwhile, the good news is there are many effective solutions to the issues of addiction.
Better Understanding Alcoholism
Alcoholism (also known as alcohol use disorder) is highly prevalent in both the U.S. and abroad. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “In 2022, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 8.0 million people who had both an AUD and a DUD.”
Many people also don’t realize the realities of addiction, primarily that addiction is a disease. Often, people are under the misconception that addiction is some moral failing or “choice.” This is a fallacy. In fact, addiction is closer to chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than it is a choice.
Alcoholism, specifically, is also a family disease. This means that it affects the whole family, not just the individual who is struggling. It is often said that “addiction is like a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path.” However, just as the family is often the most affected, they are also the ones who can be the most crucial in recovery. The key is knowing the signs and symptoms that indicate alcoholism in a loved one.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of alcoholism are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and wellbeing
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, many people can minimize alcoholism or falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for alcohol addiction treatment sooner rather than later is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
The Causes of Alcoholism
Now, there are many causes of addiction, and they aren’t always clear. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences the risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.”
There are many causes of alcoholism, some of which include familial and environmental factors. For example, it has been shown that individuals in lower economic environments are more vulnerable to addiction. Also, many populations have higher addiction rates. This includes combat veterans and individuals in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC population. Many people also ask the question, “Is alcoholism genetic?”
Is Alcoholism Genetic?
The answer to the question, “Is alcoholism genetic?” is most likely. There have been genetic markers that show genes to be a significant factor in addiction.
The genetic factors regarding alcoholism also change over a person’s lifespan. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychiatric Clinics of North America, “Genetic and environmental influences modulating the risk of SUDs change developmentally and across the lifespan. In a longitudinal twin study, Kendler and colleagues found that gene effects in alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine addictions were low in early adolescence but their relative importance gradually grew in adulthood. In contrast, the effect of family environment declined from childhood to adulthood.”
Is Alcoholism Genetic, and How Can One Recover?
The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one recover from alcoholism. This includes those whose alcoholism may be caused by genetics.
One highly effective modality is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT gets to the underlying issues of alcoholism and also makes an individual an “active participant” in their own recovery. Additionally, CBT helps people change the addictive behaviors associated with their alcoholism.
The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in the maxim known as The Phoenix Difference – “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders, to celebrate life through lasting solutions.”
It is important to remember that alcoholism doesn’t have to win. There is a solution, and that solution is available right here at The Phoenix Recovery Center.
Addiction is highly prevalent in both the U.S. and abroad. Also, there are many suspected causes of addiction. These include familial, environmental, and biological. Another cause may also be genetics. Regardless of the cause, the key is getting the right kind of help. If you feel you or a loved one may be struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the causes of addiction and how to best recover, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
