ABSTRACT
The resurgence of interest in the genetics of alcoholism has its origins in the indisputable evidence that alcoholism is a family disorder. Genetic theories predict that these second-degree relatives should have a lower risk than parents and siblings. Significantly more identical than non-identical twins had similar drinking habits; indeed, where one twin was a heavy abuser so was the other in 70 percent of identical, but in only 32 percent of non-identical twins. The most impressive evidence in favour of a genetic component to alcoholism has come from a series of studies using the Danish adoption and psychiatric registers. Despite deficiencies in both the twin and adoptive studies, it seems likely that genetic factors do contribute to alcoholism in men, although not necessarily in women. Drunkenness and alcoholism are seen as important individual problems, but increasing recognition is now being given to the repercussions of drinking behaviour on the family, the community and the population at large.
