Alcoholic Biological Differences

Exploring Biological Differences to Determine the Genetic Risks Associated with Alcohol Addiction





By Anne Ahira

Many medical professionals have conducted many studies on exploring biological differences to determine the genetic risks associated with alcohol addiction and have discovered that, while many of these studies are inconclusive, there does seem to be a genetic predisposition for indulging in addictions based on the sex of the subject being evaluated.

In the studies two unique aspects of each gender have been evaluated. These include biological factors such as the linkage to male and female hormonal systems and cultural based factors regarding the unique roles that men and women are typically associated with. However, genetic studies seem to be becoming more of a focus based on research inconsistencies.

In the case studies involving test subjects that are both male and female, it has been discovered that the male population has a higher risk in developing a dependency on alcohol. While addictions seem to be predominantly male based, many women may be genetically inclined to develop an addiction to alcohol as well.

Within each sex, several biological differences such as the rate in which alcohol is thoroughly absorbed by the body, the overall level of metabolism, and the basic genetic inclination towards the substance of alcohol are carefully observed. Naturally, the environmental conditions and factors that surround the test subject also play an intricate role in determining the probability of alcohol dependency.

When evaluating several test subjects - both male and female - it has been established that there are, in fact, biological differences that contribute to the fact that more men than women are likely to succumb to the negative effects of consistent alcohol consumption. The genetic makeup of an individual seems to indicate that there are dominant genes in the male that contribute to heavier use of alcohol.

Based on the evidence gathered from these studies to determine the genetic risks associated with alcohol addiction, scientists and medical professionals have determined that it is likely more effective to focus on the genetic makeup of each individual as a person rather than focusing on the actual sex of the person. This comes as a result of the wide range of environmental factors and influences that may result in a person's temptation to engage in alcohol abuse.


 

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