Is alcoholism genetic? Does addiction run in families? Can you inherit a substance use disorder? If you have a family history of alcohol and substance abuse, you may have asked yourself these questions. Alcohol and substance use disorders may seem to run in your family, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined for addiction. While there is a genetic component to addiction, your genes are not your destiny. As with any other health concern that can be passed down, you just need to be more aware of your risk so you can prevent addiction in your own life and break the cycle in your family.
Are Genetics and Heredity the Same Thing?
First, we need to define what we mean when we say “heredity.” You’ll often hear “genetics” and heredity” used interchangeably. While genetics and heredity are closely related, they’re not the same thing. Genetics is the scientific study of genes, how they’re structured, how they function, and how they interact with environmental influences. Heredity is how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
While all hereditary disorders are genetic, not all genetic disorders are hereditary. For example, around 10% of all cancers are traceable to specific gene mutations that may be passed from parent to child. The child who inherits a cancer-causing genetic mutation is at a higher risk of developing cancer that we would consider hereditary. But this means that around 90% of cancers are caused by non-hereditary genetic mutations and environmental factors affecting the expression of those mutations, known as epigenetics.
It’s tempting to think of the way that genes work in an overly simplistic way: if you have a certain genetic marker or mutation, that means you’ll develop that trait or disorder. But the way that genetic information is expressed is very complicated. Environmental factors such as exposure to toxins, living conditions, and stress play a large part in how genetic information is expressed.
The Genetics of Addiction
So how does the scientific community answer the question “Is addiction hereditary?” Research has revealed a genetic link for substance use disorders. People with a first-degree relative, e.g. a parent, are at increased risk of developing substance use disorder. But again, the way genetic information is expressed is influenced by other genes and environmental factors, and further studies have confirmed that while addiction does have a genetic link, it’s also dependent on your environmental experience.
Are There Addiction Genes?
There isn’t a specific gene that we can point to and identify as the cause of addiction. Scientific research has found a link between several different genetic variants and the risk of developing substance use disorder. For example, researchers at The University of Oklahoma have identified a genetic mutation that makes people more vulnerable to the effects of stress in childhood that can lead to experimentation with the use of alcohol and drugs during adolescence, which is itself a predictor of developing substance use disorder.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), adult children of alcoholics inherit a 50% to 60% chance of being vulnerable to developing alcohol use disorder. Physical responses to alcohol can be inherited, including high alcohol tolerance and the way your body metabolizes alcohol.
What Role Does Childhood and Environment Play?
When it comes to alcoholism and addiction, we should also expand our definition of what hereditary means. We now know that trauma can be an inherited disorder. The childhood environment that parents provide and, in a sense, pass down to their children plays a large part in a person’s risk for developing mental health conditions and substance abuse disorder. Research shows a strong connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and substance use disorder. An Adverse Childhood Experience is defined as a traumatic event that occurs between birth and 17 years of age. Research has found that adults who have a history of ACEs are more than four times as likely to develop a substance use disorder. The same study found that women with a history of sexual and physical abuse were nearly six times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. And men who had witnessed or experienced physical abuse or whose parents had divorced were five times more likely to abuse illicit drugs.
Childhood trauma is strongly linked to the development of SUDs in adulthood. This is in part because childhood trauma disrupts the normal development of a child’s brain, creating changes that last long into adulthood. ACEs that can affect neurodevelopment and increase the risk of addiction later in life include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Witnessing physical violence
- Suicide or attempted suicide by a family member
- Living with a parent with SUD
- Living with a parent with mental health conditions
- Divorce
- Having an incarcerated parent
- Unstable housing
- Food insecurity
- Discrimination and racism
Experiencing just one of these traumas in childhood can affect your ability to deal with the stresses of everyday life. Experiencing multiple childhood traumas creates toxic stress that contributes to the development of anxiety, depression, difficulty experiencing joy, and the inability to regulate impulses and emotions. All of these conditions increase your risk of developing AUD or SUD in adulthood. Adults with four or more ACEs are seven times more likely to develop alcoholism, and adults with five or more ACEs are at between seven and 10 times greater risk of SUD.
Traits of an Adult Child of Alcoholics or Substance Abusers
Growing up as the child of someone with an alcohol or drug addiction can cause problems in adulthood that, while not genetic, can also be thought of as having been inherited. Adult children of alcoholics likely experienced an unstable childhood environment where all of their needs, emotional, social, and physical, were not met. This often leads to the development of a set of characteristics that many adult children of alcoholics share. Common ACoA traits include:
- Being unsure how to behave normally
- Lying for no apparent reason
- Extremely self-critical and judgmental
- Having trouble finishing projects
- Taking themselves too seriously
- Difficulty forming close relationships
- Approval-seeking
- Feeling like they’re not like other people
- Either overly responsible or overly irresponsible
- Showing loyalty even when it’s not deserved
- Impulsivity
Adult children of alcoholics are at greater risk of developing alcohol use disorder themselves. In addition, they’re more likely to suffer from mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Many people find comfort, connection, and support in adult children of alcoholics meetings such as those offered through ACA and other similar organizations.
How Do I Know If I’m Predisposed to Addiction?
While a family history of alcoholism or addiction may indicate a genetic predisposition to substance abuse, there are other factors that can put you at increased risk of developing SUD:
- You drink or use drugs to relieve stress
- You have co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- You began using drugs or drinking before the age of 15
Other signs of addiction and signs of alcoholism to be aware of include:
- Being powerless to stop drinking or using drugs
- Needing more alcohol or drugs to achieve the same effect
- Being preoccupied with obtaining and consuming whatever substance you’re using
- Feeling as if you’ve lost control of your life
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or reduce your drug or alcohol use
If you believe that you’re predisposed to developing an alcohol use disorder, the NIAAA offers the following strategies to reduce your chances of AUD:
- Keep track of how much you drink
- Set goals for reducing your drinking
- Find other activities to replace drinking
- Avoid situations and people that trigger urges to drink
- Have a plan in place if you encounter a trigger to drink
- Have a way to say “no” in place in case you’re offered a drink
You Are More Than Your Genes
As previously stated, genetics does play a part in the development of alcohol and substance use disorders, but a family history of addiction doesn’t mean you’re destined to be an addict yourself. Being aware of the risk factors and triggers can help you modify your behavior. And if you’re already experiencing the adverse effects of growing up in a family where addiction was a factor, you can break the cycle. Engaging in alcohol and drug addiction treatment can help you identify, process, and heal the issues that drive addiction. With the right education, therapy, and tools, you can create a life where you’re in full control.
Healing Hereditary Addiction at The Guest House
Addiction is complex and has many different causes. While genetic factors do play a part in the development of alcohol and substance use disorders, there are often other factors that are just as influential, such as the environment you grew up in and underlying traumas. At The Guest House, we use evidence-based therapies to reveal and heal the root causes of addiction. We help you understand how genetics, family history, and childhood trauma impact addiction and mental health, giving you the tools you need to create successful long-term recovery. Learn more about how we can support you on your journey to recovery. Call us today at 855-496-7471.