Can alcoholism be genetic?

[This is my nickname :-D]

Can you be predisposed to becoming an alcoholic by family history? There have been 4 or 5 generations of alcoholics in my family (fortunately, they were not my parents or anybody I was around a lot). Is this just a coincidence? "Nature or nurture?" What is your point of view?

[nostalgia88]

I've never been a fan of the "either or" game. I think the evidence is pretty solid that your genes DO play a role in major traits like this - but it's a role of PREDISPOSITION, not one that dooms you to become an alcoholic, or obese, or anything like that.For those with a family history of alcoholism, it may be easier for them to become alcoholics - but only after an environment has allowed them to do so. You're not predestined to become an alcoholic, but if you do, it will be much harder for you than for others to quit.So don't try to place the blame on any one factor, although it's easy to do. Major developments like this usually have a host of factors that contributed to them. Try to cover your bases and make sure you don't put yourself in a compromising position.

[irsmart123123]

Alcholohism is a disease. It can be genetic. Scientifically proven.

[warrior4God]

It is a little of both, but mostly personal choice. Continuing in alchoholism can be genetic, but the initial desire to do so is strictly personal choice. In other words, once you make the decision to start, your body may be more or less receptive to it depending on your family background.

[narneumqueen]

I think that being around any type of extreme behavior such as alcoholism can leave a great impression on a child.however if you say that these family members are not your parents nor were you directly dealing with it on a daily basis,then it should be safe to say you are in the clear.then again, dont play with your health, if (lets say) your grandfather was and alcoholic then you may want to chill with the drinking. just in case.so whether is nature or nurture i dont know, but why take chances?

[Ewurm]

I have never seen a chromosome buy a bottle of vodka and force it on someone

[nita m]

First, an molecule of alcohol and a molecule for simple sugar is very similar. It has been studied and proven that children of alcoholics will either drink also or not drink and binge on sugars and become obese in the abdominal area just as an alcoholic would over time with the excess carbohydrates ingested from the alcohol. If you feed the body alcohol, sugar, carbos(complex), fat or protein, the body uses the alcohol first for energy then the simple sugars the complex carb then protein and finally fat. It is a genetic and environmental(nature vs nurture) issue. But, is proven that children of alcoholics even reared apart from natural parents still drink the alcohol..GO FIGURE>>>

[fishmansam]

Emphatically, YES. I'm a sober member of Alcoholic Anonymous and i've heard the story a thousand times. The nature vs. nurture issue in an alcoholic family is moot, as the child of practicing alcoholics or addicts is "nurtured" in the disease. There's plenty of ongoing research about a "gene" and anecdontal evidenct abounds. Unfortunately, my observation is that children of alcoholics still have to learn their lessons the hard way!