Health 9: Genetics and Addiction

In Type 2 alcoholism, which is relegated to men, the son of an alcoholic father is 9 times at greater risk of being an alcoholic compared to the general population

"Genetic susceptibility to addiction is the result of the interaction of many genes."

Polygenic Inheritance

100 million people in the U.S. have at least 1 alcoholic drink daily.

14-20 million people are alcoholics

4 out of 5 people who have at least 1 drink per day are not alcoholics.

Let's assume that in order to be an alcoholic you need:2 from column A2 from column B2 from column C

While studies show a significant increase in the incidence of alcoholism in the children of alcoholics, the father to son transmission is particularly strong

Recent studies suggest that heroin addiction is even more mediated by genes than alcoholism

If you have an alcoholic parent that does not mean you will be an alcoholic