Growing up in a family with an alcoholic father I could never help but to ask; Is this ugly monster due to a genetic disease or is it a matter of society, personal decision, or experience? I am still not sure of what the answer is but I do think that it is a mixture of many factors because I can see some clues in several areas.
I think Pinker would probably fight for the side of genetics being a strong influence, tipping this scale closer towards disease or disorder. Looking back through my family history I have 2 grandparents, 3 or more aunts and uncles, my father, and even my own sister who have been captured by the grips of alcohol. This close correlation makes me believe that genes do have a strong say in whether or not someone will be an alcoholic. This also scares me though because if genes are the problem, then could I be affected by alcoholism? And if so, will it be out of my hands and out of my power?
Lewontin, standing along society as a key role in the way people are, several examples pop in up my mind regarding alcohol in society. Commercials on tv, along with billboards for alcohol sales, are meant to be portrayed as sexy, classy, and almost euphoric. It makes the world want to believe that confidence, success, and happiness all come from this product, which can often be misleading because they do not mention the hangover, money spent, and relationships that can possibly be ruined because of it.
I also think John Locke has a point by arguing the blank slate. I wonder whether or not a child's decisions with alcohol are influenced by their parents' and siblings' abuse of this drug because it is what they see as they grow up. I think parents and other family members sometimes don't realize how strongly their actions can affect the young minds that grow up around them.
Overall, I think alcoholism is a tricky and deceiving monster in the world. The exact 'gene' has not yet been discovered to deem it only genetics and all of the other variables in this equation have some legitimacy but no completely satisfactory answer to whether or not alcoholism is disease or decision.
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I know genetics are the set up, but I believe the choices a person makes will decide if they are an alcoholic. Both my Grandpa's were alcoholics and it shortened or ruined their lives. Neither of my parents ever had any problems with drugs or drinking.
ReplyDeleteI know the data shows that children of addicts are more likely to become addicts. In my family it skipped a generation and my brother, now 28, already did a stint in rehab for drug abuse. He still uses and hopefully he doesn't have to do another.
I know I can't beat the evidence, but to me it is all about free will.
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ReplyDeleteFrom my experience, addictive personalities do run in families too. It doesn't matter at all what someone is addicted to -- drinking, smoking, gambing, eating, lying... People are addicted to the comfort or escape. I wonder, though, if heritable traits can be heritable through nurture. I believe if a kid grows up witnessing his parents turning to alcohol for a way to cope, he might do the same as a learned habit.
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