Why do some people develop a serious drinking problem while others don’t even when they grew up in the same household or social environment? Is it because of their genes, or is it because of their upbringing, trauma, and stress?
The answer is both. Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a complex condition driven by a combination of genetic inheritance and environmental experiences. In other words, your biology and your life story both shape your relationship with alcohol.
In this article, we’ll break down the science behind how both genetics and environmental influences contribute to alcohol addiction and how understanding both is crucial for prevention and treatment.
The Genetic Side of Alcoholism
Scientific research, particularly twin and adoption studies, shows that genetics play a major role in alcoholism. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), around 50% of an individual’s risk of developing alcohol addiction is influenced by genetics.
But this doesn’t mean there’s one single “alcoholism gene.” Rather, multiple genes interact to affect:
- How the body metabolizes alcohol (e.g., ADH1B, ALDH2),
- How rewarding or pleasurable alcohol feels (e.g., DRD2, GABRA2),
- How the brain handles stress, anxiety, or emotional pain (e.g., genes involved in serotonin and dopamine regulation).
In our blog Is There an Alcoholism Gene?, we explained how these various genes collectively influence susceptibility to addiction, but they don’t act in isolation.
The Environmental Influences
Genes may shape risk, but the environment shapes behavior. A person born with a higher genetic risk for alcoholism may never develop the disorder while someone with no family history might still become addicted due to environmental exposure.
Environmental risk factors include:
- Growing up in a home where alcohol is regularly misused
- Experiencing trauma, neglect, or abuse
- Living in a culture or community where heavy drinking is normalized
- Lack of emotional support or stable relationships
- Peer pressure during adolescence
- Poor coping mechanisms for stress
For a full breakdown of these risk factors, see our article: Causes of Alcoholism, where we detail how trauma, mental health, and social context play pivotal roles in addiction.
Real-Life Example: Genetics vs. Environment
Let’s consider two friends, Ali and Bilal.
- Ali has a family history of alcoholism. His father and grandfather both struggled with drinking, and he carries genetic variants associated with high alcohol sensitivity. However, Ali was raised in a household that promoted healthy coping, self-awareness, and open communication. As an adult, he chooses not to drink and never develops alcohol-related problems.
- Bilal, on the other hand, has no known family history of alcoholism. But during his teenage years, he experiences trauma, social anxiety, and spends time with peers who drink heavily. Alcohol becomes his escape, and he slowly develops dependency despite having no obvious genetic risk.
Their stories show that genetics may set the stage, but the script is often written by environment, choices, and mental health.
Nature and Nurture Work Together
Rather than viewing genetics and environment as opposing forces, it’s better to think of them as interacting factors. In fact, researchers now believe that:
- Some people may be more genetically sensitive to environmental triggers (e.g., early trauma or social drinking).
- Certain genes may “switch on” only when exposed to specific stressors a concept known as epigenetics.
- The way someone responds to therapy or relapse prevention may depend on their biological makeup as well as their life history.
This is why at Lifeline Rehab, we don’t treat addiction as “just a bad habit.” We treat it as a layered condition that requires personalized, trauma-informed, and biologically sensitive care.
How Lifeline Rehab Supports Both Sides of the Equation
At Lifeline Rehab in Islamabad, our clinical team understands that no two patients are the same. Whether you’re struggling due to inherited risk, emotional trauma, or both, our team offers:
- Personalized assessments including family and medical history
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
- Behavioral therapy tailored to emotional and cognitive patterns
- Family therapy to break generational cycles
- Relapse prevention built on your triggers and personality profile
Recovery is not about willpower alone it’s about understanding the full picture and building a plan that respects both your biology and your past.
Conclusion: It’s Not One or the Other It’s Both
Alcoholism is not caused solely by genetics, nor is it purely a product of environment. It arises from a delicate balance between the two one that is different for every person. Some inherit risk and never develop addiction. Others have no family history and still struggle due to life circumstances, trauma, or poor coping strategies.
The key is not to blame biology or upbringing, but to recognize your patterns, educate yourself, and take action. If you or someone you love is affected by alcohol use disorder, there’s no shame in asking for help.
Lifeline Rehab is here to provide the support, tools, and science-backed care needed to begin the journey to recovery no matter where that journey started.
