IS PROBLEM DRINKING OR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE CAUSED BY A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION?
There are a multitude of factors that influence an individuals use of alcohol, one of which may be a genetic vulnerability. This alone, however, does not account for the development of problem drinking or dependence. Social and psychological factors play a role as do past learning experiences. An individuals personal characteristics- those qualities that make you the person you are – interact with the people, events and day to day stresses of your environment. Perhaps at one time drinking helped you cope when you seemed to lack other resources. Perhaps a drink or two made you feel strong, confident. Perhaps alcohol eased pain, made you feel less shy or anxious, helped you feel more socially competent, more intelligent or less lonely. Think of alcohol abuse or dependence as an overly-relied upon response that once seemed to help you through many of lifes difficulties. Now it has become another, seemingly insurmountable problem.
