Do You Have the Alcoholism Genes?

Most of us know that alcoholism runs in families. If you have a parent that suffers from alcoholism, you have a high chance of suffering from the disease. While family history is a good insight in your susceptibility to developing alcoholism, genetic testing may also be another way.

Let’s say you are an orphan or you were raised by only one of your parents. You may not know if one of your parents had a problem with alcohol. Alcoholism runs in families because genes were passed on. Genetic testing can identify if you have these genes.

You may wonder if you should get a genetic test if you know one of your parents has alcoholism while the other doesn’t. You can to know for sure but if you want to save some money (since most insurances won’t pay for expensive genetic tests), you can just assume you to and take precautions by watching your drinking habits and getting help for addiction if you are started to suffer from it.

Understanding Alcoholism and Genes

While having these genes does not mean that you will seek out alcohol, it does mean that if you were to start drinking you may end up developing a dependence on this. This dependence includes physical and psychological. You’re body will make you crave alcohol and you will think that you need to have it to live each day.

Many people are skeptical about calling alcoholism a disease. However, all the components of disease are a part of alcoholism. There are genes that make you susceptible and environment influences that set them off. This is just like heart disease, cancer, and illnesses such as allergies.

(Photo Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/foundphotoslj/584588408/)

June 22nd, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetic Testing, Genetics and Society | (1)