How often has someone made the comment “He comes from a long line of alcoholics?” Perhaps you have even heard someone say, in a heated moment, “He’s a drunk, just like his father!” Most of us have heard about someone who grew up in an alcoholic home. We may have even witnessed the tragic and senseless episodes of drunkenness and its effects on the family. But does this automatically mean the offspring is doomed to repeat the lifestyle? Is alcoholism hereditary or environmentally influenced? Or is it both?
Let’s explore the concept that alcoholism may be hereditary as well as environmentally influenced. In order to consider this concept we must look at the definition of hereditary and environmental influence. Merriam Webster defines hereditary as: genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring. Environmental influence is considered …show more content…
Obesity is something many people recognize as running in families. It is also something that is medically known to be the result of the individual’s environment as well as genetics.
According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “estimates of heritability range from 30 to 70%, with the typical estimate at 50%, meaning about one-half of the variation in body mass within a population is a result of inherited factors.”(Lyon. Hirschhorn, Am J Clin Nutr Vol 82) These are impressive numbers. Apparently living in a home where the parents choose to overeat and serve high caloric foods to their children is only half of the story. Now we see that learning to use food as a reward or a pastime accounts for some of the problem, but not all.
Like obesity, it appears that alcoholism is also the result of the relationship between environment and inheritance. If we can accept this concept it may remove the moral dilemma many alcoholics have been branded with. If that is accomplished perhaps the person will have the confidence to
Let’s explore the concept that alcoholism may be hereditary as well as environmentally influenced. In order to consider this concept we must look at the definition of hereditary and environmental influence. Merriam Webster defines hereditary as: genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring. Environmental influence is considered …show more content…
Obesity is something many people recognize as running in families. It is also something that is medically known to be the result of the individual’s environment as well as genetics.
According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “estimates of heritability range from 30 to 70%, with the typical estimate at 50%, meaning about one-half of the variation in body mass within a population is a result of inherited factors.”(Lyon. Hirschhorn, Am J Clin Nutr Vol 82) These are impressive numbers. Apparently living in a home where the parents choose to overeat and serve high caloric foods to their children is only half of the story. Now we see that learning to use food as a reward or a pastime accounts for some of the problem, but not all.
Like obesity, it appears that alcoholism is also the result of the relationship between environment and inheritance. If we can accept this concept it may remove the moral dilemma many alcoholics have been branded with. If that is accomplished perhaps the person will have the confidence to