Can Alcohol Addiction Run in Families?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 27.1 million people had an alcohol use disorder in 2024. That number is staggering, especially if you have a loved one who is living with it.

Familial alcoholism is scary, especially if you’re one of the many people with family members dealing with alcohol addiction. If you’re worried about addiction, Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, provides outpatient detoxification, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment for alcoholism at her practice, Victory Treatment Program.

Stacey is an experienced and compassionate addiction and recovery specialist offering support for you and your loved ones through alcohol addiction.

Understanding alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction is a disorder where you’re unable to stop compulsively drinking. You’re unable to control your intake of alcohol, and it affects you negatively when there’s no alcohol available.

Alcohol addiction is a subtype of alcohol use disorder, which is characterized by an inability to control intake despite negative effects. It can impact daily activities, work, and social life.

Alcohol use disorder encompasses several terms, including alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence. Alcohol addiction is the more severe end of AUD, and requires a lifelong commitment to sobriety and recovery.

Is alcohol addiction genetic?

Worrying about your own risk is common if a loved one struggles with alcohol addiction. While genetics can play a part, your choices and actions are powerful factors you can control.

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, one in five adults has lived with a relative with alcoholism when they were younger. They also report that children of parents with alcohol addiction are four times more prone to also becoming alcoholics.

Alcoholism can run in families, raising your risk if parents or grandparents struggled with it. However, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop addiction—you control your choices.

Knowing your unique risk helps you make informed decisions and plan your next steps to prevent it.

What if I’m at risk for alcoholism?

Whether you grew up in a household of alcoholics or you have a family history of alcohol addiction, you’re at a higher risk of developing the issue yourself. But there are steps you can take to prevent alcohol addiction.

Avoiding alcohol until you are of legal age is one proven step in prevention, as drinking early in life increases risk. Waiting can protect your long-term health and lower your chances of addiction.

Moderate your alcohol intake if you choose to drink. Research suggests that limiting yourself to one drink per day for adult women and two for adult men can help reduce the risk of developing alcohol addiction. Tracking your consumption and being honest about your habits reinforces these limits.

Choose what’s best for you. This might mean abstaining from alcohol or reserving drinks for special occasions. If you’re concerned about risk, a specialist can help.

We offer support groups and other resources to help you navigate alcohol addiction and avoid it. We can also help your loved one overcome addiction and provide counseling to you and your family.

Call the Victory Treatment Program today or visit VTPshot.com to take the first step in understanding your alcohol addiction risk and securing help for yourself or your loved ones. Don’t wait—reach out now to get the support you deserve.