Director's Column Dr. Fulton T. Crews, Director Studies on the genetics of alcoholism offer the great hope that focused prevention and treatment might substantially reduce the development of alcoholism and improve the success of treatment. There is no doubt that genetics are involved. I know several recovered alcoholics who laughingly state they can't understand how anyone can have two glasses of wine at dinner and that's all.
Alcoholics know they respond differently to alcohol.
However, people are different and alcoholism is not homogeneous. Like cancer and hypertension, a combination of genetics and environment clearly interplay as the disease develops. If we know who is at risk, increased screening and early and aggressive intervention may significantly increase prevention. Currently, early screens are not used and initial interventions are minor - more like the treatment of hypertension than cancer. Attributing cause to genetics and genes is tricky.