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How Genes and Environment Interact to Promote Binge Drinking in Adolescents

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How Genes and Environment Interact to Promote Binge Drinking in Adolescents

Genes and the environment account for various phenotypes in human beings, including

hair color, height, personality, academic achievement, familial relationships, and interests. For

this research, the chosen phenotype for analysis is binge drinking. It refers to heavy episodic

drinking of alcoholic beverages intending to become intoxicated (Axley et al., 2019). The person

involved consumes alcohol heavily within a short duration. Binge drinking is attributed to

genetic and environmental influences. There has been a longstanding debate on nature versus

nurture. Nature refers to the genetic and biological dispositions a person inherits from their

parents at birth. On the other hand, nurture refers to the environmental factors that impact an

individual development. The research investigates the impact of genes and environment on

adolescent binge drinking.

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors contribute to the occurrence of alcohol disorders. It implies that people

with a familial history of binge drinking may be born with a gene predisposing them to alcohol

use disorder. There is sufficient data from animal and human studies that outline the critical role

of genetic factors in substance abuse and dependence (Laghi et al., 2021). Some specific genes

have been studied to identify vulnerabilities connected to alcohol use orders. For instance, one of

the studies provides a long history of repetitive heavy use of alcohol and high rates of alcohol

use disorders in Western societies (Trucco, 2022). The results of the study indicate that there are

connections between alcohol use disorders and genes. It has resulted in the habit spreading

across generations.
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An individual cannot be born with a problem of alcohol use. However, they can have

genetic dispositions that enhance their likelihood of engaging in alcohol use, thus leading to

disorders such as alcoholism and binge drinking. The contribution of genetics to alcohol misuse

risk is approximately half (Meyers et al., 2023). The rest of the predispositions are derived from

environmental and social factors that people encounter from childhood to adulthood. Therefore, a

family history of alcoholism places one at a risk of being genetically predisposed to developing

alcohol use disorder. The genes related to alcohol metabolism and, therefore, increase the risk of

alcohol use disorder include ADH1B and ALDH2 (Bowen et al., 2022). The two genes are

closely linked to the risk of developing alcohol use disorders and may account for adolescent

binge drinking.

There are multiple genes involved in the development of alcohol use disorders.

Therefore, it does not automatically come that an individual whose parents were involved in

binge drinking or other alcohol use disorders will develop the problem (Sargent & Babor, 2020).

Some generations may not be affected by the problem. For example, genes predisposing a person

to binge drinking may fail to manifest in an offspring of parents affected by the disease.

However, the child of the offspring not affected by alcohol disorder may be affected (Trucco,

2020). It implies that if a grandparent is affected by an alcohol problem and their children are

not, it is not automatic that the grandchild will not be involved. Therefore, binge drinking has

genetic predispositions that combine with other factors for it to be manifested in adolescents.

Environmental Factors

The environment in a person's life significantly impacts their attitude and behavior

towards alcohol use. Various environmental factors could influence a person to resort to alcohol

use and eventually result in alcohol use disorder. Adolescents are influenced into alcohol use by
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numerous factors (Meyers et al., 2023). One of the common factors is the availability of alcohol.

A study established that more licensed liquor establishments in an area increase the rate of

alcohol consumption among the youths. It demonstrates that availability has an impact on the

rates of alcohol consumption. Adolescents are at risk of engaging in binge drinking due to easy

access to alcohol in their environments. The presence of many alcoholic joints in an area

influences youth in the area to purchase and drink alcohol more compared to when there are few

establishments (Delgado-Lobete et al., 2020). Availability also entails peers accessing alcoholic

beverages and sharing with their friends. Easy access could be due to socioeconomic factors.

Some adolescent friends may come from wealthy families, thus making it easy for them to

purchase and share alcoholic drinks with their friends. Adolescents are more likely to be invited

to social events where alcoholic beverages are served (Sargent & Babor, 2020). The parties

predispose them to binge drinking. The friends may encourage the adolescent to consume more

alcohol quickly. The easy availability of alcohol predisposes the youth to resort to drinking,

eventually leading to alcohol use disorders, such as binge drinking.

Another environmental factor that may predispose an adolescent to binge drinking is the

advertising and marketing of alcohol. In the United States, alcohol advertisement and marketing

is rampant. Companies are spending significant funds promoting alcoholic beverages to attract

more clients to their brands and enhance their consumer base (Ryan et al., 2019). Alcohol

advertisement contributes to increased consumption by creating an environment where

individuals feel that alcohol use and over-consumption are normal, thus contributing to more use

(Sargent & Babor, 2020). The adolescents think that alcohol use is acceptable, so they resort to

its consumption. After some time, they begin to experience alcohol use disorders that include

binge drinking. Research indicates that media and advertisements significantly contribute to
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current drinking behavior, knowledge of alcoholic drinks, and adolescents' intention to drink

(Sargent & Babor, 2020). The impact of media and advertisements on adolescents' behavior

towards alcohol demonstrates the environmental effects on adolescent binge drinking.

Cultural forces can impact adolescents' behavior toward alcohol. Culture may make it

acceptable for individuals to be involved in alcohol use and misuse. For example, some societies

encourage the consumption of beer during festivities. The acceptance of alcohol use is

demonstrated through various means, including the media, music, videos, and television

glorifying drinking and drinking behaviors. Such an environment develops a culture of drinking

where people do not feel they are doing something wrong (Delgado-Lobete et al., 2020). Movie

stars, sports figures, and other prominent persons in society are shown to have gained popularity

from alcohol with no adverse effects. It encourages adolescents to try alcohol, eventually leading

to addiction and binge drinking (Ji & An, 2022). There are no negative consequences for persons

who engage in the behavior, thus sending a message to young people that drinking alcoholic

beverages and over-consumption is acceptable.

Interaction of Gene and Environment in Alcohol

Neither genes nor the environment is solely responsible for the development of binge

drinking among adolescents. The two factors are closely interrelated and work together to result

in alcohol use disorders among the youth. People who come from families that have a history of

alcohol consumption and misuse are at a risk of inheriting genes that predispose them to drinking

and alcohol use disorders, including binge drinking. However, a person can't be born with the

problem of alcohol use disorder. Genetic factors only represent approximately 40% of the

situation as they combine with social and environmental factors (Bowen et al., 2022). The

environmental factors act as a trigger that makes the genes responsible for alcoholism active.
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Alcohol is made available to adolescents, thus causing them to resort to drinking. Initial

consumption of alcoholic beverages may not immediately result in binge drinking (Ryan et al.,

2019). However, constant exposure to the trigger leads to the adolescent consuming more alcohol

within a short period to become intoxicated. Therefore, genetic and environmental factors

combine to increase youth alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

The various studies considered in the research indicate that genes and environmental

factors significantly contribute to adolescent binge drinking. People who come from a family

background of alcoholism are likely to be born with genes that predispose them to alcohol

consumption and misuse. However, the genetic factors do not work alone, as they are linked to

social and environmental factors that cause adolescent binge drinking. While they are born with

an innate capacity predisposing them to alcoholic beverage use, the genetic factors are not

triggered until one comes into contact with alcohol due to environmental factors. Some

ecological factors contributing to alcohol consumption and binge drinking include availability,

media, and marketing activities. Availability creates an environment where an adolescent can

consume alcohol, eventually leading to alcohol use disorders, including binge drinking.

Therefore, genetic and environmental factors act together to contribute to binge drinking in

adolescents.
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References

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