| The link between alcoholism and genetics is still being | | | | not you become an alcoholic. Constant stress and |
| explored and there remains much to be learned. It has | | | | anxiety are major contributors. Often when you have |
| long been the belief that if you have alcoholic parents | | | | alcoholic parents, the environment is volatile and |
| you have a much greater chance of becoming an | | | | unstable. Living in such an environment from day to |
| alcoholic yourself. However, the role of genetics in this | | | | day is definitely stressful and may make it more likely |
| puzzle is still being determined. | | | | that you will become addicted to alcohol as an adult. |
| The argument that your genetics play a big part how | | | | Even if you do not have alcoholic parents, other things |
| likely you are to becoming an alcoholic gained some | | | | in your environment could be stressful enough to |
| ground with the scientific study on the CREB gene that | | | | contribute to alcoholism. Some of these things include |
| was completed around 2004. The CREB gene | | | | peer and parental pressure and rebellion against |
| produces a protein called cyclic AMP responsive | | | | parental and societal authority. There many more |
| element binding protein, which is also known as the | | | | potential outside stressors that could lead to alcoholism |
| CREB protein. The study suggests that there is a link | | | | and they vary from person to person, because |
| between the gene and the addiction to alcohol, which | | | | anxiety and stress is somewhat subjective. What may |
| reaffirms the long held belief that alcoholism and | | | | cause you a great deal of anxiety may not even be a |
| genetics are very closely related. | | | | cause of concern for someone else. |
| Along with the discovery of the so-called 'alcoholic | | | | If you have both alcoholic parents and lots of outside |
| gene', the scientists also discovered that anxiety and | | | | stress, the odds of alcoholism are much greater, |
| depression play a major role in whether or not you are | | | | especially if you have the defective CREB gene as |
| more likely to become an alcoholic. Since drinking is a | | | | well. |
| way for many to dull the pain of a stressful or | | | | It seems that if you inherit the 'alcoholic gene' it is more |
| unfulfilling life, it only seems natural that when anxiety | | | | difficult for you to handle anxiety and/or depression. |
| and depression levels increase, the dependence on | | | | Since the CREB gene is involved in alcohol tolerance |
| alcohol would increase as well. And if you are one | | | | and dependence, a defective gene increases your |
| who has the defective CREB gene, this can lead to a | | | | tolerance for alcohol and makes you more dependent |
| slide into the realm of alcoholism. It also seems that the | | | | upon it, especially in stressful situations. This is because |
| 'alcoholic gene' is passed from one generation to the | | | | not enough of the CREB protein is produced. In other |
| next (which argues for the connection between | | | | words, in situations where the defective gene is |
| alcoholism and genetics), which is why you are much | | | | present, the brain has trouble knowing when 'enough is |
| more likely to become an alcoholic if you have | | | | enough'. |
| alcoholic parents. | | | | There is still a lot to be learned about the link between |
| However, simply because you have inherited the | | | | alcoholism and genetics. Scientists are still studying |
| CREB gene does not mean that you will certainly | | | | how the 'alcoholic gene' affects those who inherit it. |
| become an alcoholic. It simply means that you are | | | | However, simply knowing that you possess a |
| more susceptible to alcoholism. Besides inheriting the | | | | defective copy of the gene is helpful in preventing a |
| 'alcoholic gene', another factor that may play a major | | | | downward spiral into the world of alcoholism. Having |
| role in alcohol addiction is the environment. | | | | this knowledge helps if you are susceptible to |
| In addition to noting the role of the CREB gene in | | | | alcoholism and makes it easier to take the necessary |
| alcoholism and genetics, the environment in which you | | | | steps for prevention. |
| are reared seems to have a big impact on whether or | | | | |