Family History of Alcohol Abuse

Millions of Americans are from families that have histories of alcoholism or alcohol abuse – and several studies have determined that certain genetic factors may predispose an individual to be susceptible to this condition. But what does this research offer in terms of tangible evidence that a person will or will not develop a dependency upon alcohol?
First, it is important to understand what the term “alcoholism” really means. According to the most widely accepted definition of the disorder, the following four symptoms must be present in order for someone to be diagnosed with alcoholism or a dependence on alcohol:

• Craving – The presence of consistent and persistent urge to drink alcohol.
• Tolerance – A resistance to the effects of alcohol, built up as a result of continued exposure, which means that a person is forced to drink ever-increasing amounts in order to experience the “high” that used to occur with minimal consumption.
• Physical Dependence– The onset of withdrawal symptoms (which may include shakiness, profuse sweating, hallucinations, and nausea) in the absence of alcohol.
• Loss of Control – The inability to resist the temptation to have a drink, or to stop drinking once a person has begun to consume alcohol.

Understanding the difference between deciding to drink and being afflicted with alcoholism, we can now explore the role that family and genetics play in a person’s risk of becoming an alcoholic.
Researchers have determined that the children of alcoholic parents are at considerably greater risk of developing the disorder themselves (some studies put the odds at 400 percent higher than those of individuals in the general population) – but these same scientists are usually quick to admit that genetics are but one part of the puzzle. For example, more than 50 percent of children whose parents were alcoholic don’t become dependent upon alcohol, which indicates the presence of other influences.
As with the classic “nature vs. nurture” debate, a person’s likelihood of becoming an alcoholic is affected both by his biology and his environment. For example, several researchers have pointed to the following influences as increasing an individual’s odds of developing a dependence upon alcohol:

• Having an alcoholic parent who also suffers from depression or other psychological conditions (such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia)
• Having parents who abuse both alcohol and other drugs.
• Having parents whose excessive abuse of alcohol often results in family conflicts, aggressive behavior, and violence.

Conversely, children whose parents abuse alcohol but do not exhibit any of the conditions or behaviors described above have a lesser risk of following in their unhealthy footsteps.
In either case, realize that “risk” does not equate with “certainty.” There is no absolute or foolproof predictor of who will or will not develop an unhealthy dependence – but individuals who understand their risk factors are best prepared to deal with the challenges they may face.
The following are a series of tips and strategies that can help a person steer clear of alcoholism:

• If you are underage, don’t drink – In addition to being illegal, underage drinking is also a precursor of later-life alcohol dependency. Staying sober before you turn 21 is a huge step toward remaining free from substance abuse.
• If you are an adult who decides to drink, do so only in moderation – Regardless of a person’s family history, heavy or binge drinking is a gateway to alcoholism. Health guidelines issued by the U.S. government define moderation as no more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men. (One drink is considered to consist of 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, 5 fluid ounces of wine, or 12 fluid ounces of regular beer.)
• Because maintaining moderation may be particularly difficult for some high-risk individuals, these people are advised to pay strict attention to their behavior, and to seek assistance at the first sign that their drinking might be starting to slip out of control.
• Of course, if you are pregnant (or trying to become pregnant), if you will be operating heavy machinery or driving a vehicle, of if you have certain medical conditions or are required to take certain medications, you should avoid alcohol completely.
• If you are in doubt, get help. – Talk to a doctor, nurse, counselor, therapist, or anyone else who is trained to deal with health-related matters. A wealth of experts, websites, rehabilitation programs, and support groups are available to provide the information and assistance you need – and when it comes to substance abuse, it’s never too early to ask for help.

Source:  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)