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If there is a history of alcoholism in your family are you more likely to be an alcoholic?

Scientists have been doing research for many years and in the past 10 years with all the advances in technology are able to learn much more about this topic. They have found out that there is vulnerability for the biological children of alcoholics to also get the complex disorder of alcoholism and substance abuse. Scientists think that alcoholism can be inherited and that there is a genetic component that transmits the problem of alcoholism from generation to generation. There is no single cause of alcoholism or it does not start only genetically. Other factors that can cause alcoholism are a persons life experiences and disorders such as depression, anxiety and other problem behaviors. It has been discovered that certain people have an enzyme in their bodies that does not dissolve alcohol normally like it does in other people. Research shows that this enzyme increases the risk of alcoholism in the people with this problem. But, scientists do not know how this enzyme does what it does in the body and so cannot figure out how a person becomes an alcoholic. Researching the biology of alcoholism has found that physical traits passed on from generation to generation are strong indicators that a person will develop alcoholism. The brains electrical activity and neuron responses are inherited by children if their parents are alcoholics and so makes them more prone to get the disease.

Children must be taught it is not their fault that their parent or parents or any other family members are alcoholics. They also must learn that they can be successful, healthy people who do not have to become dependent on alcohol because of their life circumstances. Children must learn there are things they must do to take care of themselves and protect themselves from becoming alcoholics. Some methods like positive coping skills, good communication skills, and building on their strengthsand having a good self-esteem are ways to help them learn not to abuse alcohol.

Davies, Leah. (2010). An Educator's guide to children affected by parental drug abuse.. //Education digest//, //75//(8), Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rch&AN=48921383〈=en-ca&site=src-can

Nurnberger, J, & Laura, B. (2007). Scientific american.//SEEKING THE CONNECTIONS: ALCOHOLISM AND OUR GENES.//, //296//(4), Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rch&AN=24323697〈=en-ca&site=src-can