Who Would Most Likely Develop an Alcohol Addiction in Adulthood?

If you have struggled with alcohol addiction (or any kind of addiction), perhaps you wonder if that puts your children at risk for addiction. Or maybe you wonder how you ended up with a substance use disorder yourself. 

The question of what makes someone develop a substance use disorder is a complex one. After all, there’s no definitive test or formula for predicting who will end up with an addiction and who will not.     

But a person’s genetics, environment, experiences, and personal characteristics can all certainly have an impact. 

Genetics

Recently, scientists at the National Institutes of Health have discovered genetic markers that are common among those with a substance use disorder.¹ Genetic studies are also being used to help determine which medications might be most effective to help treat an individual’s substance use disorder. 

These genes are also associated with the regulation of dopamine, which makes sense: Addiction hijacks the brain and makes it less efficient at producing “feel good” chemicals (like dopamine). It’s also possible that those who develop an addiction may have low baseline dopamine levels to begin with, and are drawn to drugs and alcohol to try to compensate for this.   

A person can order genetic testing to determine if these markers are present. But it’s important to note that not everyone who has genetic markers for addiction will develop a substance use disorder; these genetic makers simply mean a person is at greater risk for developing an addiction. 

There are a whole host of factors that influence whether an individual actually does develop an addiction, but at this point in time, there is no way to determine how great that risk is. 

Are there tests available to determine the likelihood of developing a specific addiction? Currently, there are no tests that determine who is likely to develop alcohol use disorder. Recently a test was developed to determine if a person is at risk for an opioid addiction.² But this test is controversial. 

Trauma and mental health issues

A significant portion of those who develop a substance use disorder have a history of trauma.³  Substance use disorders also frequently co-occur with mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD – all of which can stem from traumatic experiences.    

So, some people use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate to manage the symptoms of trauma or resulting psychiatric conditions. Of course, not everyone with a psychiatric condition or who has experienced trauma will develop and addiction. But these experiences and conditions can put a person at greater risk.

Family

Having one or more family members who have a substance use disorder does put someone at greater risk for developing a disorder themselves. But there is no guarantee that the children of someone with an addiction will also develop an addiction. And, there is no way to know how great the risk is that they will.  

In some families, one child of a person with a substance use disorder also becomes addicted, while a sibling does not. On the other side of the coin, some families see none of the children become addicted. And in other cases, knowing the misery alcohol has caused their family will cause children to completely steer clear of drugs and alcohol – and, of course, be much less likely to develop an addiction.    

Regardless of which members experience alcohol addition, alcoholism is considered a “family disease” that can impact every member of the family in some way. The pain, chaos and increased stress alcoholism causes in the family can potentially put a person at greater risk for a substance use disorder. 

Early drinking

Research indicates that those who start drinking alcohol at a younger age are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.⁴ One study found that 47% of people who started to drink before age 14 developed a drinking problem. For those who began drinking by age 16, nearly half became problem drinkers. And for those who waited until age 21 to start drinking, only 9% over-consumed alcohol.

To be clear, early drinking does not always lead to addiction – and preventing early drinking does not always prevent addiction. But if you are concerned about your kids potentially developing a drinking problem, taking steps to avoid early drinking is a good idea.

If you have experienced a substance abuse disorder, be honest with your children about your issues with addiction (in a way that is appropriate for their ages). If you want some tips about how to talk to kids about addiction, the Kids Mental Health Foundation is a valuable resource.

Environment and circumstances

Environmental factors can have a sizable impact on whether or not someone develops an addiction. These factors include:

• Growing up in a high conflict or stressful household
• Having a peer group that uses drugs or alcohol, along with a lack of consistent adult supervision
• Chronic pain, which may drive an individuals to use drugs or alcohol to cope. Those who suffer injuries and accidents can develop addictions to their pain medication. 

Personality

Contrary to popular belief, an “addictive personality” is not a recognized or diagnosable psychiatric condition.    

However, it is true that some people have certain traits, characteristics or behaviors common among those who have or develop an addiction or which could put them at greater risk for developing an addiction. These qualities include:

• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Impulsivity
• A need for instant gratification
• Thrill seeking
• Being secretive
• Being comfortable with dishonesty
• Having a hard time accepting responsibility

Of course, there are plenty of folks who have these qualities who never develop an addiction – and, likewise, there are many individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder who lack these qualities. 

Mitigating factors 

So, what makes a person likely to develop an addiction in adulthood? To summarize:

• There are a wide range of factors – i.e. genetics, upbringing, when a person began drinking – that contribute to addiction development
• However, there is no definitive test or method for determining whether a person will have an addiction (and what type of addiction disorder they may have)
• And even someone with risk factors for addiction may not develop an addiction

It’s also critical to consider those factors that make a person less likely to develop an addiction, such as:

• Metabolizing alcohol in a way that makes drinking more unpleasant (due to enzymes), which can make a person not want to drink
• Being involved in team sports or other positive, pro-social activities
• Having positive, supportive friends and family
• Being able to engage in healthy communication    
• Having a sense of belonging and community

Remember: Regardless of the cards you’ve been dealt, no one is automatically on track to develop an addiction. Everyone is unique.

Plus, a host of factors can combine to put someone on this path. So, if you keep these factors in mind – while you’re raising a child, or simply looking out for yourself – addiction is something you can certainly work to prevent.