Does Genetic Predisposition Have a Role in Alcoholism?

There is at least one genetic test for an allele that is associated to alcoholism and opiate addiction.

[caption id="attachment_313" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Diving at Big Island Recovery"][/caption] Though this allele is more common in individuals with alcohol addiction, there is no conclusive evidence that the presence of this gene is necessary for alcohol addiction. Some researchers argue that the evidence for such alleles is contradictory.   There is a theory that alcohol was discovered and utilized as a replacement for polluted drinking reservoirs in urban society.  In this case, death from liver disease was preferred to death by waterborne disease.  Over time, this resulted in a selection process of genes that were able to handle more alcohol.  Essentially the population changed from being a predominately hunter-gatherer society to more urban.  This theory explains why certain groups like Aborigines or Native Americans have a higher alcohol tolerance.   Alcoholism can be a lifelong struggle.  Though behaviors are changed, relapse is always a possibility and often occurs. Relapse does not mean an individual is doomed to alcoholism. Call Hawaii Island Recovery at  866-906-6911 today for more information.…