Do you believe addiction is genetic?
Posted by adminSep 1
My dads side has a history of alcohol abuse, they say it’s genetic….. because my father had that addiction …does it make me more vulnerable to ANY type of mood altering substance? or JUST alcohol.
Of course social factors etc have to do with substance abuse too and it’s not purely genetics.
Before someone says this q is in the wrong section, I asked it in health and no one answered. AND you p and sers are very wise and helpful 
I have a very addictive personality, but I guess because I’m aware of it I know that I have to be careful. I’ve never tried any hard drugs because i’m scared i’ll get addicted
Rachaels congrats on giving up and good luck!!! and your answer is a perfect example
Scorpio woman, i’m glad your child is with you, but what I think is because of the addictive gene, when he’s old enough to drink – he may get addicted. Around you he most probably won’t drink under age – but when he is of legal age he may have a problem. I really really hope not. Thank you for taking him away from the drinking though
46 comments
Comment by Felix on 09/01/2010 at 4:12 am
no
Comment by Music Is The WeApoN♫ on 09/01/2010 at 4:56 am
Haha.. Of course not.
Just like Homosexuality, people were saying it’s genetic.. I laughed. It’s a choice.
Comment by boltthrower63 on 09/01/2010 at 5:43 am
agreed 100%.
Comment by jennyforrich on 09/01/2010 at 6:38 am
i think life is what you make of it, not what your parents did.
Comment by Ace on 09/01/2010 at 6:59 am
I think it skips generations.
Comment by pak1789 on 09/01/2010 at 7:27 am
I’ll have to ask my parents.
Comment by Woodman on 09/01/2010 at 7:58 am
Yes. Genetically predisposed. Not to any one substance however. More of an addictive personality. Research has shown this repeatedly.
Comment by brutabrutobrutos on 09/01/2010 at 8:46 am
there’s always a possibility, but as long as you’re aware of it. you won’t become an alcoholic
Comment by Lena Kaligaris on 09/01/2010 at 9:44 am
No, you are your own person. So many people will tell you that you look so much like your mom and dad your whole life but in reality you just look like your self. God made everybody differently and each individual can make there own dicisions whether there good or stupid choises.
Comment by dragonfly_3 on 09/01/2010 at 10:14 am
I think you would have a genetic predisposition to the addiction, yes, but you have to realize that now before you become an addict and stay away from the substance. I also come from a long line of boozers and I made a conscious decision to stay away from it, period. My brother, on the other hand, drinks 12-14 beers a day.
Comment by ladybug on 09/01/2010 at 10:40 am
Yes, I think so. My mom and I have some of the same addictions.
Comment by Jessica on 09/01/2010 at 10:42 am
I think it’s a mixture, some people have real disorders and feel the need to self medicate with alcohol or other substance. Like bipolar disorder is genetic and many of these patients are alcoholics-maybe the alcoholism is the symptom of the disorder.
Comment by Army mom on 09/01/2010 at 11:25 am
I think there is a genetic component to any addiction.
Alcoholism certainly runs in families.
If you feel that you have an addictive personality, it could certainly make you more aware and cautious in using any mind or mood altering substances.
Comment by s k on 09/01/2010 at 12:24 pm
yes, I do.
Comment by tonja on 09/01/2010 at 12:39 pm
nope . my dad’s a alcoholic , an i seldom drink.my mom is a pot smoker , an i never was tempted to smoke it.
Comment by 77ann77 on 09/01/2010 at 1:05 pm
No, I don’t believe so. We all have the power to control what we do and don’t do. I think some people find it easier to become addicted than others but I don’t be live it is generic. You will only become your father if you CHOOSE that life
Comment by Scorpius59 on 09/01/2010 at 1:37 pm
it’s been around a long time. Jesus was turning water into wine.( I don’t drink, and that’s by choice, because if it’s genetic, I sure carry the genes for it ! …….and so do 90% of my hometown !)
Comment by The Water? on 09/01/2010 at 2:23 pm
its not genetics iits not on dna
Comment by treehse65 on 09/01/2010 at 3:20 pm
There is a genetic component. placing one more likely to have an addiction. It doesn’t guarantee one and it is not limited to the same type. It could become an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or even food.
Comment by TEA on 09/01/2010 at 4:20 pm
Yes, I believe that it is most definitely genetic.
Comment by d on 09/01/2010 at 4:58 pm
i believe genetics is addicting
Comment by Emtie El on 09/01/2010 at 5:35 pm
i don’t think it’s inherited, but if you’re exposed to that kind of lifestyle, then you might be susceptible to emulating it
Comment by Goobster on 09/01/2010 at 5:56 pm
it’s not genetic, but your brain controls what u like and don’t like, and if u can control yourself, than addiction is probably what u like going for. they have therapies out there to help u stop with addiction, u can see regular people if u wish, or have a religious person help u out, just some suggestions to throw at u.
Comment by ma_zila on 09/01/2010 at 6:54 pm
NO! Because you make the decision to buy it in the first place. You can’t buy a diseases, disorder, genetic condition at the corner store with potato chips.
Comment by Karaboo on 09/01/2010 at 7:08 pm
u can always contorol if u get addicted 2 stuff.
and just dnt drink then.
Comment by Cara Arlene on 09/01/2010 at 7:44 pm
I think it is definitely plausible for addiction to be genetic…it runs on my mom’s side…I think that this “genetic effect” makes it so you can be addicted any addict-able substance….
You’re right…social factors, etc have to do with any addiction…I got my nail biting addition from watching my dad do it my whole life…
Comment by ♫ Christy ♥ on 09/01/2010 at 7:59 pm
I think it can be..basically everyone in my family has had a problem with alcohol, drugs, or some type of addiction..but I’m not an alcoholic or anything..so yes it can be genetic, but that doesn’t mean it’s a certainty that you’ll become an alcoholic, because your life is what you make of it.
Comment by kimbabub on 09/01/2010 at 8:33 pm
I think it is but rest assured it has not affected me and it’s in my family too. Now my sister I think has been affected, just watch your consumption and don’t let that be a way of your life. I myself drink socially or once in awhile I’ll have a beer while outside on a hot day. I have always been aware of the possibility and I think that has helped. Believe me though I wish sometimes I had a vice to take my worries away; in the back of my head anyway, but nothing like that solves anything.
Comment by *Dear*Prudence* on 09/01/2010 at 9:00 pm
Yes…of course it is. lol
Comment by vtothef on 09/01/2010 at 9:32 pm
No, I don’t believe it is genetic. The people in your family grew up with addiction as a way of life, and learned that it was something unavoidable. My grandfather was a raging alcoholic, and eventually died due to complications caused by it. But, neither I nor my father drink. Addiction is learned, not inherited. You can break the cycle.
Comment by smurfnbee on 09/01/2010 at 9:48 pm
nope
Comment by misspriss on 09/01/2010 at 10:34 pm
I believe that will happen if you believe enough that it will. and I’ll tell you why I believe this is true. My dad is a recovered alcoholic. I did not meet him until 3 years ago, therefore I did not know he was an alcoholic. I drank on and off (mostly off) for years. I have not drank any alcohol in about 5 years. I never had a problem at all. Now, here’s the clincher. would I have had more of a problem if my father had been in my life and I had known that he was an alcoholic considering that it is shoved down our throats that it is genetic. I believe that ideas can be put in our heads just like this one and make us feel more afraid. It is ultimately up to you whether you have an addiction or not.
Comment by Generic Emo Kid 5 on 09/01/2010 at 10:42 pm
Its genetic whether or not it will affect you, like if yoUr dad was an abusive drinker and you had a few drinks ur more likely to become an alcoholic than a person who’s family doesn’t have a past of alcohol addiction
Comment by izabel #17 on 09/01/2010 at 10:49 pm
I think it is genetic, it’s also the influence.. etc.
Do you have an addictive personality? Thats a factor to watch out for. If you have one then just stay away from alcohol. I definitely have an addictive personality.. if I picked up a drink and thought it was ok I’d probably become an alcoholic. It’s why I don’t drink..
Comment by Ho Ho Ho III on 09/01/2010 at 10:59 pm
Actually, researchers HAVE found that most drug and alcohol abusers shared a specific trait that makes them more prone to abuse, but, of course, other factors play into it as well.
Comment by luhbeese on 09/01/2010 at 11:24 pm
no, i do not believe it is genetic
i think it happens throught generations of a family because the younger ones see the olders ones doing it, and they become very vulnerable and impressionable.
if you want to avoid becoming an alcoholic, dont let the family addicts get into your head.
stay strong.
Comment by Categorical Perception™ on 09/01/2010 at 11:57 pm
People that have zero understanding or knowledge of addictions will say that it is not genetic. It is genetic.
Being predisposed with addictive personality-types is not unheard of. Being an addict doesn’t necessarily mean alcohol or drug abuse. Anything to an excess can be addictive.
Comment by JAMES M on 09/02/2010 at 12:57 am
The only thing I can tell you about this is that a friend of mine who had a Alcohol Abuse problem was told by doctors that his son ” could” emphasize…” Could ” have the gene. He was told that his son could take 1 drink…and be on the road to Alcohol Abuse. On the other hand…he might not be affected. I guess it all comes down to IF you have THAT Gene.
Comment by rachael on 09/02/2010 at 1:25 am
yes it is. i am adopted and raised in a mellow, non drinking, no drugs or any other issue family. they are stable, quiet country folks.
i was and am, loud, outgoing, wild and have had my serious problems with drugs and alcohol. i was a raging drunk for years, i have it in check now, but it wouldnt take much for me to go back to it.
i found my birthmother about 7 years ago, the second sentence out of her mouth was “we’re all drunks. most of the family is alcoholics and lots of drug abuse.”
addiction is genetic, i had no influence in my life to show me this path, but it came very easy to me.
Comment by eizus28 on 09/02/2010 at 1:38 am
Yes. All mood altering substances. My belief but it’s pretty much been proven. I’ve seen it in my own family.
Comment by fugitive247 on 09/02/2010 at 2:05 am
I am a recovering addict who comes from a long genetic line of addicts, both paternally and maternally. I got clean years before having kids, yet they are already displaying some personality traits common to addicts.
Sure, the argument of “nature vs. nurture” will always rear its head into these discussions. However, given that my kids have never been exposed to non-recovering addicts, this point is rendered moot. My personal experience with 3 generations of my family currently in recovery is that addiction has an undeniable genetic basis.
What no one has addressed here is that addiction is not only psychological. It’s physical, too. True addicts actually have an allergy to the substance(s) to which they are addicted. It’s a vicious cycle in which the physical allergy creates both pleasure and pain. The pleasure come from the flood of the allergen(s) upon the brain’s dopamine receptors. At the same time the physical allergy takes its toll, yet the body craves the allergen and will seek satisfaction of this craving at all costs.
An addictive PERSONALITY manifests as both a pleasure seeking and pain avoidance OCD in relation to the stimulus. If it’s not a true physical allergy, this type of addiction remains psychological only.
Comment by Mel on 09/02/2010 at 2:26 am
I do think alcoholism is genetic. One of my friends has alcoholism in her family and she started talking one day about this glowing happy feeling she gets in her tummy when she drinks. Everyone with us (including me) was like what the heck are you talking about? So, I know for sure she has something genetic going on, but she’s very careful with her alcohol consumption since she knows alcoholism runs in her family.
You probably will be more likely to get hooked on other mood altering substances, too, because the concentrations of neurotransmitters and stuff we have which promote addiction are genetic, but I don’t know which things you would be more succeptible to.
Comment by Kevin H on 09/02/2010 at 2:51 am
I think there are many factors involved in determining whether a person will manifest addictive behaviour or not.I certainly suspect that genes play a part as well as environment,social pressure etc.There is a clear link between house painters and alcoholism as well.Nice answer Woodman
Comment by byroneann on 09/02/2010 at 3:29 am
Having never looked at any research or having any expert knowledge other than observing throughout my entire life, I would say definitely YES.
I look at my family and it seems like everyone who has chosen to try drinking has abused it. Many of them have taken it a step further and have been in rehab or jail for drugs.
I also look at my wife’s side of the family and same thing. . I think some chemical in our body is either prone to addiction or not and it may vary from one family to drugs, alcohol or other addictions.
Is it possible that I am getting addicted to Answers on Yahoo? Anyone else out there feel this addiction?
Comment by Scorpio Woman on 09/02/2010 at 3:57 am
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/genetics/a/aa990517.htm
Yes, and no. It is a touchy issue right now. Say for an example, your biological mother and father are/were alcoholic/substance abusers. Then at birth they gave you up for adoption to Non-alcoholic/substance abuser adoptive parents. More than likely you will not become an alcoholic with the non alcoholic parents.
With my situation, I don’t do drugs and I very rarely drink alcohol, however my ex was a heavy drinker and a substance abuser. My child is safer with me because I don’t do do drugs and I never drink alcohol in front of him or around him.
I don’t need a drink to keep me calm, I don’t need a drink to escape from realities. I have one once in awhile to go out to the pub with my friends for a few hours and we all have a good time.
An alcoholic is someone that needs a drink. I don’t need nor want a drink. It doesn’t bother me if I don’t have any alcohol.
Do you kind of understand where I am comming from?
Check out the link I posted on here. Like I said it is kind of a touchy subject. It is mostly what the child sees and grows up with. I have been a single mom for 4 years of my son’s life. My son doesn’t remember his father drinking. But my ex was an alcoholic and Drug addict for most of his life and it passes down to generations….Hard to really explain, unless you are an expert…
Comment by Redeemer on 09/02/2010 at 4:31 am
Most definitely. Addiction to alcohol has been proven to be a genetic trait that can be passed down to children.