Alcoholism is caused by genetics or by environment? The genetic and environmental factors
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the risk of a person to develop alcoholism is 60% determined by his genetics and 40% caused by his environment. Assuming that these statistics are accurate, what can be done to reduce the chances of becoming addicted to alcohol?
Genetic Causes of Alcoholism
Regarding the genetic determinants of alcoholism, those who say, "nothing can be done" are not entirely accurate. Although a person can not change their genetics. Knowing, however, there is a history alcoholism in the family of a person, for example, can help a person to "prevent" the potential problem of ever leave if he has a total abstinence. This way of thinking prevention is an example of a process " proactive problem-solving.
Proactive Problem Resolution more
The following illustration, however, is an even more extreme "proactive" problem solving that may affect the genetic basis of alcoholism. Maria, a young woman who drinks very rarely, the updates of a young man named Kirk. As their relationship develops, Maria begins to notice that Kirk gets drunk on a regular basis. In fact, Kirk gets drunk at least two or three nights a week. This is particularly problematic alcohol is that Kirk is angry and combative when he drinks too much. On numerous occasions, Maria has tried to encourage Kirk to seek professional help, but every time she begins to discuss his drinking, Kirk became extremely defensive, starts shouting at her, and then passes through a bar to drink with his buddies. After a year of riding the emotional roller coaster, experiencing many arguments offensive, and through many difficult situations related to alcohol, Maria finally decided to break with Kirk. What were the main factors of failure? Maria wants to have children and can not do with a violent and angry man who is so dependent on alcohol. In addition, Maria thought that since Kirk sets forth such an irresponsible behavior in a romantic relationship, it could get worse if they were to marry.
In this illustration, for his break with Kirk, Maria stopped a negative cycle to go further. In other words, in deciding to end her relationship with Kirk, Maria "prevented" the genetic part of the equation of ever becoming a problem.
Regarding alcoholism, age-related issues
Another important statistic related to alcohol articulated by the NIAAA is that the sooner a person starts drinking, the more likely it will continue to drink all his life. That being the case, it is logical to seek ways that will significantly reduce alcohol abuse by teens, preteens and young adults.
An environmental framework
Employing an "environmental" approach (as opposed to a methodology based on genetics), higher education seems to be a logical starting point for ways to reduce alcohol problems manifested by our youth. Since many teenagers go to college and teen alcohol abuse is a serious risk to health, it is pertinent to ask what college administrators can do to significantly reduce alcohol abuse students, especially when teenagers are some of the main "offenders". It is suggested that the following reactive and proactive to help solve this problem.
Reactive and proactive measures to reduce abuse of alcohol by students
° The consequences immediate establishment of excessive alcohol consumption.
Discipline · repeat alcohol abuse.
· Monitor activities in drinking sororities and fraternities.
· Parents inform their children drinkin.
Posted on January 4, 2010.
