There
is a genetic predisposition to alcoholism (watch the YouTube video). Doctors have known for
years there are genetic components to this disease. Six years ago
while researching my first book, the evidence was clear on genetics,
even if heredity wasn't as clear a picture. The human genome project
shed light specifically on which genes and chromosomes are flawed in
alcoholics. Chromosomes 4Q and 11, for example, have been indicated.
But
just because a person has a genetic predisposition doesn't mean
they're drinkers dying for a drink or alcoholics dying from one.
There are millions of Americans with flawed chromosomes who don't
even know it because they don't drink alcohol. You cannot have the
disease of alcoholism without having exposure to alcohol. Regardless
of DNA. Just like you can have a genetic predisposition to certain
cancers, and live a cancer-free life. They're also millions of
alcoholics who find out the hard way their genetic makeup is flawed,
experience the disease, and now choose total abstinence to manage the
incurable condition.
Beyond
genetics, there are other factors that come into play when a person
chooses alcohol, and when alcohol turns on them. Two of the most
important ones are environment and culture.
Environment
means the surroundings in which they were raised. In my case, every
family gathering we had – birthdays, holidays, Sundays, Mondays,
Tuesdays, etc. – included alcohol. Also, my father would come home
from work and pop open an ice-cold can of PBR. That's how a man
finished his day of work. Other children grow up an environment where
they see mom having a glass of wine to calm down or relieve stress
and they learn in that environment that's what you do to relieve
stress.
What
is meant by culture is that we are bombarded with advertisements and
social situations that glorify the feel-good part of this drug. It is
the cultural norm in the U.S. and many countries to drink socially,
and abstinence is considered abnormal and is stigmatized. The point
is, genetics don't put the bottle in your hand. Your parents don't
put the bottle in your hand. Your friends and coworkers don't put the
bottle in your hand. Whether you have the disease of alcoholism, or
just don't want to find out if you do, don't take the first drink.
And if you are drinking why take the next one?
