Do Genetics Make It More Likely that A Person Will Have AUD?
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a problem affecting millions of people across the United States. Researchers have spent decades trying to determine if there are AUD risk factors such as a predisposition based on genetics. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has funded a study on genes that could influence a person’s susceptibility to AUD. The study which started in 1989 has been focused on “identifying the specific genes that influence alcohol use disorder.” In addition, NIAAA researchers have been studying the “interaction of genes and the environment” to help develop effective treatments.
Researchers believe that genes undoubtedly play a role in whether a person will develop AUD, however the issue is complex. Both genetics and a person’s environment may have an impact. NIAAA’s Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) Study has worked with over two thousand families affected by alcoholism and has gathered data on over 17,000 individuals. This in-depth research has allowed scientists to collect “extensive clinical, neuropsychological, electrophysiological, biochemical and genetic data” to better understand why people may be more prone to alcoholism.
Ultimately, studies like COGA will go a long way in developing treatment and prevention options for those suffering from AUD. This is just one of a number of studies dedicated to determining how and why genetics can be a key factor in determining whether someone will develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.