Who Is Susceptible To Becoming An Alcoholic?”

2 Pages 460 Words

“Who is Susceptible to Becoming An Alcoholic?”
By: Stephanie Wilson

A few of the questions people ask are why some people are more susceptible to

alcoholism than other people; and if any, does gender or ethnicity have to due with it.

After some recent research, it may be possible for some people to be more prone to

alcoholism even before they are born. Researchers have determined that genetics play a

role in alcoholism and have pinpointed the genes that could lead to this disease. These

genes are for the possible “risk” not destiny. Just because a person has these genes

doesn’t mean they are predisposed for the disease. They have identified markers within

DNA related to alcoholism. It is believed that if a child is born from an alcoholic parent

then that child is susceptible to this disease. Gordis, McGue, and Shields believe that

even if a child of an alcoholic parent is placed into an adoptive family of non-drinkers,

that child will more than likely abuse alcohol. (1) Now as for gender, men are more likely

to suffer from this disease than women, even though women are not far behind statically.

It is estimated that of 15.1 million alcohol-abusing or alcohol-dependent individuals in

the United States, approximately 4.6 million are women. But are they all just adults

abusing alcohol? No. Underage drinking has reached epidemic proportions in America.

And there is no longer the “gender gap” we use to see between boys and girls who

consume alcohol in the U.S. Underage drinkers account for 25 percent of all alcohol

consumed in the United States. College students are also susceptible to this disease too.

One reason for this is it’s their first time away from home and are more likely to give into

the peer pressure that’s accustomed to campus life. Underage and college age people are

more likely ...