Reaching a level of addiction when consuming alcohol is possible for everyone. However, some individuals may be at a greater risk of this due to genetic factors. Your genetic history related to addiction rates and alcoholism can increase the possibility of you developing an addiction. Understanding and acknowledging this potential can help you avoid drinking altogether or be extremely mindful of the amount you are consuming.
Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a commonly consumed substance across the world. While consuming minor amounts of this substance, an individual may experience mild benefits to their cardiovascular system. Heavy consumption of alcohol and drinking to the point of intoxication regularly, however, is where the negative effects start to take a toll.
With consistent alcohol consumption, you have a higher chance of engaging in risky behaviors or developing heart disease, stroke, cancer, a weakened immune system, and psychological or social problems. The chances of these negative health effects occurring are only amplified when you drink at an addictive level.
Genetic Factors
Genetics make up for nearly half the cases of alcohol addiction. This is a significant percentage, which shows the importance of being aware of your genetic history. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALHD) are two enzymes that help alcohol metabolize. These enzymes can also be found in different genetic structures. The representation of these enzymes within an individual’s genetic structure increases the likelihood of them reaching alcohol addiction in the future.
Learning about your family history with alcohol and being aware of relatives who suffered from alcoholism can give you a base point in understanding your risk potential. It is important to be aware of your grandparents or further generations that may have been affected by alcoholism because of the likelihood that you inherited a genetic structure that makes you similarly vulnerable to alcohol addiction.
Adoption
While many of our habits come from the individuals who surround us throughout our lives, such as our parents and siblings, some of our behavior can be traced to biological factors. Those who are adopted and were raised by parents other than their biological parents will still have their genetic components determined by their blood relatives’ genes, so their history is important to learn if possible.
Although the biological factors and history of your biological parents suffering from addiction have a greater impact on your likelihood of addiction, your adopted parents’ history may also play a role. For instance, if your adopted parents have struggled with alcohol addiction, you may be at greater risk due to the environment you have been exposed to growing up.
Dealing With High Addiction Risk
If you discover that you may be at a potentially high risk for addiction based on genetic factors, there are practices you can engage in to avoid reaching this level. Though these practices may help anyone avoid developing addiction, they are particularly necessary for those with high addiction risk.
It is particularly important for those who have high genetic risks of alcoholism to avoid drinking when underage. Drinking underage increases the physical and mental dependence on alcohol and can increase the chances of developing an addiction. Waiting until the legal drinking age, or even until the age of 25, can decrease the chance of developing an addiction.
When consuming alcohol as an adult with an increased genetic risk of addiction, mindfulness and self-awareness are extremely important. Limiting consumption to moderate amounts of alcohol and avoiding reaching a level of intoxication can help you avoid future addiction. If you find yourself reaching intoxication, be mindful of it and avoid doing so again for the foreseeable future. Refraining from allowing this to become a habit is essential in the early phases of drinking to avoid building up a tolerance and reaching a level of addiction.
Avoiding alcohol altogether is recommended if you are concerned with genetic addiction risks. However, that can be difficult for some individuals. Ensuring you are aware of your actions and consuming alcohol with caution is important to avoid developing a dependence on the substance.
What Can I Do if I Have Alcoholism?
If you discovered a possible history of alcoholism within your genetic background and fear your drinking habits may have already reached the point of addiction, it is important to receive help immediately. The longer the duration of addiction is present in your life, the harder it is to counteract. Dream Recovery can set you up on a treatment plan and help you take the necessary steps to recover.
It is important to inform your children if you struggle with alcohol addiction or are aware of genetic predispositions that may lead to addiction. Informing your children of their potential increased risk and discussing healthy habits to avoid reaching addiction can prevent this trait from being passed down and save your child from struggling with addiction.
While everyone is at risk of reaching a level of addiction to alcohol, genetic factors may cause you to be at a greater risk than others. Learning your biological family history and understanding the potential addictive risks you may have are important to ensure you refrain from choices that will lead you down the path of addiction. Understanding your genetic background regarding potential risks can help you take the necessary precautions to avoid alcoholism. Those who are adopted may require information regarding their biological family for full determining factors. However, their adopted family’s habits may also play a role in their risk potential. Informing family members of increased risks and precautions can help to save yourself and your loved ones from alcoholism. To learn more about the potential risk factors of acquiring addictive tendencies to alcohol or to receive help for an established or developing addiction, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.
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