Alcoholism: Is it Hereditary?

Society's views of alcohol have changed considerably over the years. Alcohol was once considered a medicinal healer for the sick and a tonic for the healthy; only its abuse was condemned. Alcohol abusers were typically viewed as victims of self-inflicted hardship, lacking in character, and being weak-willed (Fishman 13-17). Therefore alcohol abuse was viewed only as a moral problem, and it was thought than an abuser could cure one's self by abstaining from the bottle. It was not until 1956 that the American Medical Association recognized alcoholism as a disease, and the theory that alcoholism is hereditary is virtually revolutionary. In this dissertation, alcoholism will be overviewed, focusing on genetic links of the disease.
Alcohol is the oldest, and most common of mood altering drugs. Commonly referred to as "Liquid Confidence", alcohol is a useful devce for making people more comfortable in their ordinary lives. However, the temporary relief found in alcohol can b...