What is Alcohol Dependence? It is a chronic medical condition that typically includes a current or past history of a strong craving for alcohol, excessive drinking, and continued use despite repeated problems with drinking. In short, it is an inability to control alcohol consumption.
It is not uncommon for people to use alcohol to cope with the circumstances. However, it is not a healthy coping strategy as alcohol can increase anxiety symptoms due to the constant pursuit of relaxation. Alcohol causes a disconnection between your mind, body, and spirit. This may in fact leave you feeling more in pain than before.
Alcohol use disorder or AUD often seems to run in families. There have been scientific studies conducted on the “alcoholism gene.” Genes have been found to influence our likelihood of developing AUD. But the story is not so simple as research shows that genes are responsible only for about half of the risk for AUD.
The Four Types of Drinking Behaviors
People commonly drink to either increase positive emotions or decrease negative ones. These result in all drinking motives falling in any one of the four categories mentioned below.
- Enhancement: merely because it is exciting.
- Coping: to forget about worries.
- Social: includes celebrations.
- Conformity: to fit in with others.
Alcohol consumption undoubtedly affects the brain. It interferes with the communication pathways of the brain and can affect the way it works. Alcohol also makes it harder for the brain to control memory, speech, balance, and judgment. This results in a higher likelihood of negative outcomes including injuries.
Moreover, alcohol is not going to make you feel better if you are battling depression. Although it may temporarily suppress feelings of isolation, anxiety, or sadness. But these feelings will not last. It is more likely that depression will worsen past the experience.
Characteristics of an Alcoholic
The most common characteristics of an alcoholic are –
- Prioritizing Alcohol
- Drinking Uncontrollably
- Making Frequent Excuses
- Placing Blame on Others
- Shifting Priorities
- Struggling Financially
- Behaving Recklessly
Four of the most common causes of alcoholism are:-
- Biological factors
- Environmental factors
- Social factors
- Psychological factors
Role of Genes in Alcohol Dependence
Genes influence the numbers and types of brain receptors. This includes how quickly our bodies metabolize drugs. And how well they respond to different types of medications. Understanding more about the genetic, epigenetic, and neurobiological bases of addiction will eventually advance the scope of science. We will be better equipped in dealing with AUD.
Evidence suggests that genomic function can be modulated by alcohol-induced epigenetic modification of histones known as acetylation and methylation alongside DNA methylation. This is exactly what was leading to AUD in the first place. Both genetic and epigenetic factors have been found to interact with the underlying mechanisms of alcoholism.
Alcohol affects gene expression. Studies reveal that alcohol can modify gene expression through epigenetic processes. Chronic exposure to ethanol modifies DNA and histone acetylation, histone methylation, and microRNA expression.
Scientists now will be able to translate this knowledge into new treatments. Treatments specifically directed at targeting the brain. Such treatment approaches are known as ‘pharmacogenomics’.
Pharmacogenomics is an emerging science. It promises to harness the power of genomic information to improve treatments for AUD. These customize treatment options specific to the genetic makeup of a person. This is known as ‘Precision Medicine’.
Precision Medicine knows a person’s genomic information. Healthcare providers will now be better equipped to match patients with the most suitable medication dosages and treatments. This will eventually avoid or minimize adverse reactions following treatments.
Points to Remember
- Genes provide the information that directs the body’s basic cellular activities.
- They are functional units of DNA making up the human genome.
- Changes in genes are known as mutations. They cause diseases in people.
- Gene sequencing is an extremely powerful tool. Simply because it is able to find a connection between known genes and a disorder. This process can identify genes that were previously unknown or may have been overlooked.
- Epigenetics is the study of functional, and inherited behavior. Changes in the regulation of gene activity and expression are not dependent on gene sequencing.
Our health is determined by our genes and the environment we live in. Scientists are nowadays using gene studies to develop targeted medications. These medications are specifically tailored to the requirements of an individual.
FAQs
Is there any difference between alcohol use and alcohol dependence?
Yes, alcohol dependence is alcohol abuse. It is too much and too often and the inability to quit at will. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that leads to the failure to fulfill responsibilities at home, school, or at work due to repeated drinking in situations that are physically hazardous.
How many units of alcohol is AUD?
Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol every week is dependence. The inability to function without alcohol is AUD, as well as experiencing health problems directly related to the abuse of alcohol.
What are the consequences of drinking alcohol every day?
Excessive alcohol over time can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems. Such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure, and digestive problems as well. Consuming alcohol every day can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, breast, liver, colon, and rectum.
What genes are responsible for alcohol addiction?
The allele (A1 form) of the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 is more common in people addicted to alcohol. This variation likely affects how drugs influence and reward the pathway. People with certain variation genes drink much more alcohol than normal under stress.
How can addictive substances affect our genes?
Alcohol dependence induces adaptive changes in gene expression. The reward regions in the brain react, including the striatum. This represents a mechanism for tolerance and habit formation. Resulting in craving and negative effects that persist long after consumption ceases. Moreover, neuroadaptive changes like these are key elements in relapse.
Are genes the most important factors in alcohol dependence?
Yes, genes account for about 60% of the tendency to become addicted and almost 54% of an individual’s ability to quit the addiction. However, all drinkers are not created equal. It is therefore possible to look at genetic factors to determine the best way to quit abuse.
How many types of genes affect alcoholism?
Experts pinpoint two specific genes as having an effect on the risk of AUD. They are the ALDH2 and ADH1B genes. Both these genes affect how the body metabolizes alcohol. Or breaks it down and processes alcohol.
What is the genetic relationship between alcohol dependence and depression?
Studies found an increased prevalence of depressive syndrome or depression that may or may not occur in conjunction with increased consumption of alcohol. Moreover, the combination of AUD and depression tends to run in families due to genetic makeup.
Is there a genetic difference in alcohol metabolism?
Consuming alcohol and AUD are partly determined genetically. Alcohol is degraded primarily by ADH (Alcohol Dehydrogenase). Wherein the genetic variation affecting the rate of alcohol degradation is found in ADH1B and ADH1C.
Does alcohol cause mutations in the body?
The alcohol breakdown operation is a strict process where alcohol is converted to energy. It is acetaldehyde at the centre of this chain. Unfortunately, this is the weakest link. Acetaldehyde builds up in cells it is not broken down further. Subsequently, it damages DNA in a way that could cause cancer as well.
