Relationship Between the Y Chromosome and Alcohol Abuse

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What is the Relationship Between the Y Chromosome and Alcohol Abuse?

Is alcoholism inherited or is it driven by social variables? There is some evidence that it could be, but science has yet to find the direct genetic link but the information contained in the Y Chromosome might hold some insight into the genetics of alcohol abuse.

Dr Kirk C. Wilhelmen’s Study

Social and scientific studies have demonstrated that both the environment and genetics play a major role in a person’s risk for alcoholism. Dr Kirk C. Wilhelmen’s study in 2005 examined the linkage of the Y chromosome and alcoholism. He concluded that alcoholism is a complex behavior drawn from both environmental and genetic factors. Dr. Wilhelmson stated that “prior research has shown that a significant proportion of the risk for having a low response to alcohol is genetic.”

Based on his study of over 200 genes, he alluded to the idea that alcoholism behavior was based on chromosome location. But it could not be predictive. Wilhelmsen said, “Most of what accounts for the variation among us in terms of our response to alcohol probably comes from genes. But the research doesn’t tell us how many genes are involved, or how the genes work to cause this effect.”

An earlier investigation was conducted in 1997 at the University of Utah. The study used 359 Finnish males who were all diagnosed psychiatrically. The aim was to discover if there were an association between the Y chromosome haplotype and alcohol dependence. After a number of tests it was concluded that differences among the Y chromosomes contribute to variation in vulnerability to alcohol dependence. There is, however, no direct link between the Y haplotype and the personality variables that are thought to underline the subtypes of alcoholism.

Many studies have been conducted on the link between depression, anti-social psychiatric disorders and alcohol. This is due to the fact that people who totally rely on alcohol are bound to develop depression and anti-social disorders. Research has shown that anti-social psychiatric disorders are mostly found in men while depression is more common among women. The Y chromosome could be responsible for or could play a critical role in the higher prevalence of anti-social psychiatric disorder.

Both society and scientific tests have demonstrated that alcoholism leads to psychological problems such as depression and domestic violence. These psychological problems are gender specific and therefore depend on the Y chromosome as well as on personality traits. It is more common for men to become violent and for women to get depressed.

Tests have also demonstrated that the Y chromosome vulnerability with alcohol and anti-social psychiatric disorders are genetic. Cases of anti-social psychiatric disorders being passed from one generation to another are quite common. This is the result of the same Y chromosome being passed down from previous generations resulting in the same outcome when exposed to alcohol abuse.

Common Signs Of Alcohol Abuse

• Drinking to calm nerves, used to forget worries, or boost a sad mood
• Feeling guilt about drinking
• Have made unsuccessful attempts to stop drinking
• Lying about or hiding drinking habits
• Causing harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking
• Needing to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effect
• Feeling irritable or unreasonable when not drinking
• Having social, medical, family or financial problems caused by drinking

Research cited in the July 2003 version of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research has identified three chromosomal regions in the human genome that appear to hold genes that affect low level of response (LR) to alcohol. Chromosomes 10, 11 and 22 all had the largest evidence of genes that affect the level of response to alcohol. These results were drawn from a study of students between the age of 18 and 29 years of age who attended two San Diego universities. This study is very significant as future examinations of the findings can lead to the understanding of which specific genes determine how alcohol makes one feel. They might also provide new insight into the brain’s functioning.

Tests have indicated that the y chromosome is the main factor in men that causes violent behavior when they consume alcohol. The relationship between the Y chromosome and alcohol can lead to psychiatric problems that occur in men who are prone to alcoholism.

Resources about Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Resources

Information about the genetics behind alcoholism

Thiamine HCL: Facts, Resources, and How It Helps Treat Alcoholism

Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). In response to the overwhelming evidence from twin, family, and adoption studies for a major genetic influence on vulnerability to alcoholism, NIAAA has funded the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) since 1989, with the goal of identifying the specific genes underlying this vulnerability.

Umm.edu information about Alcohol Abuse

The Cool Spot Alcohol, Peer Pressure, and Teenage Underage Drinking

Resource by B.Sobey

I am a recent masters graduate from FL. I enjoy the beach, traveling, and writing. I just moved to South Carolina in hopes to find a job as a journalist.

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