The Genetic Component of Addiction
The Subconscious Fat of It
When I was a chiropractor, I took a course on addiction. One of the most intriguing things about addiction is how genetically based it is. Certain races are more predisposed to addiction than others.
Mr. Skeptical adds, “I’d bet a lot of people had very racist ideas when it came to addictions.”
“Yes, many people did, and some still do, especially in the US. This is why I want to go back in time to explain why some groups of humans are more susceptible to alcoholism and other addictions.”
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
It always made sense to me that many past Europeans benefitted by drinking alcohol.
Mr. Skeptical gets up and chimes in, “That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard you say.”
“It’s not such a crazy thought. Look at what Prussia’s Fredrick the Great said back in 1777:”
“It is disgusting to notice the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects, and the amount of money that goes out of the country as a consequence. Everybody is using coffee; this must be prevented. His Majesty was brought up on beer, and so were both his ancestors and officers. Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer, and the King does not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be relied upon to endure hardships in case of another war.”
A Scientific American article stated:
In a world of contaminated and dangerous water supplies, alcohol truly earned the title granted it in the Middle Ages: aqua vitae, the “water of life.”
Beer and wine are naturally free of pathogens. The acidity of wine and beer kills many spreadable viruses and bacteria. However, in the East, things were different. After drinking alcohol, many Asians will get a reddening of the face.
Mr. Skeptical interrupts, “Wait, how do you know they aren’t blushing because they have a buzz.”
I hate his interruptions, so I’m going to show proof.
This bad reaction, which is a genetic variance found in Asians, makes many of them reject alcohol because they feel terrible after drinking it.
“So many of them must’ve died from spreadable diseases more so than Europeans.”
“Nope, that didn’t happen either because many Asians boiled their water to make tea, which helped save them from contaminated water.”
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
Where we really see genetic consequences when it comes to greater alcoholism, specifically alcohol dehydrogenase 1B(ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2. Other genes can also play a role. I remember from my addiction class that these genes are much more common in Native populations.
For example, early Native Americans only used small amounts of alcohol for ceremonial purposes. When they got exposed to large amounts of alcohol by white Europeans, many became addicted to it. The Native Americans were naive to alcohol. White Europeans would often use liquor to benefit themselves when they traded with Native Americans.
Many early settlers would see a white drinking alcohol and blame the individual, but if a Native Indian drank, they attributed it to an inferior race. There’s even a term for this called ‘firewater myths’
What has happened to the American Indians is similar to what has and still is happening to the Aborigines of Australia. I recall a trip to Australia in the early 2000s with my dad and sister. A white taxicab driver started casually conversing with us about how the Aborigines do nothing all day except drink alcohol.
“What a jerk.” Says Mr. Skeptical.
“Yes, the guy was a total asshole and made us feel very uncomfortable. Even with many Aborigines being alcoholics, why does a taxicab driver have to tell us this? The cab driver obviously was ignorant of genetic predispositions to alcoholism. Add in the fact that European powers have negatively altered the native population’s whole way of life, and one becomes more sympathetic to why many of them drink.”
Mr. Skeptical points his finger at me. “Did you know at that time when you were in Australia that there was a genetic component to alcoholism?”
“I’ll admit, no, I didn’t. I found out about the genes involved much later.”
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
The opioid epidemic awoke many Americans to the fact that anybody can become addicted. That addiction is not a moral failure. That people with a substance use disorder need help, not condemnation.
If a conservative radio host with a massive following like Rush Limbaugh can become addicted to painkillers, then anybody can. I do feel that one benefit of the nightmare that was created by the opioid crisis is that at least some American attitudes have changed for the better regarding addiction.
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
Be aware that genetics often play a huge role when it comes to alcohol and substance abuse. Have sympathy for those who are addicted, and avoid creating racial myths in your head. Specific populations are more prone to addictions, but that doesn’t mean they are inferior or shouldn’t be helped. It’s not their fault they lost the evolutionary and historical lottery of having genes that predispose them to alcoholism.
Be aware.
PS Links in Facebook and Instagram. Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS For those in the Miami area there will be a Miami Pop Up Parrilla Friday March 29, at 6PM see event details here. I’d also like to thank the new subscribers from Legion’s Farmers Market welcome, and special thanks to Simon from Cleaver and Hog.
Excellent article!