There are a multitude of factors that influence an individual's use of alcohol, one of which may be a genetic vulnerability. This alone, however, does not account for the development of problem drinking or dependence. Social and psychological factors play a role as do past learning experiences. An individual's personal characteristics- those qualities that make you the person you are - interact with the people, events and day to day stresses of your environment.

Common sense would tell you that the actual structure around the eye area would play a significant role in excessive tearing. It is my opinion there is a genetic predisposition toward tear staining.

Yes, alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is a disease. Alcohol dependence alters parts of the brain from its normal healthy state, this is called disease.1 There now exists undisputable evidence provided by brain imagery scans that show differences in the brains of people dependent on alcohol vs. people who are not.1 Any ongoing debate about whether or not alcoholism is a disease results from a misunderstanding of the definition of both alcoholism and disease.2 (See Glossary.

Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes that put people at risk for alcoholism. Friends, the amount of stress in life, and how readily available alcohol is also are factors that may increase risk for alcoholism.1 But remember: Risk is not destiny.

Alcoholism, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction are synonymous. It is a diagnosable disease characterized by several factors including a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite harm or personal injury, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking stops, and the need to increase the amount drunk in order to feel the effects.1 Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one's health, interpersonal relationships or ability to work.

Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) can be treated. Alcohol dependence treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Treatment has helped many people stop drinking and rebuild their lives.1 Alcohol dependence treatment works for many people. But like other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and remain abstinent.

There are now medications currently approved for treating alcohol dependence. They have been shown to help patients reduce drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, achieve and maintain abstinence, or gain a combination of these effects. As is true in treating any chronic illness, addressing patient adherence issues throughout the treatment will maximize the effectiveness of these medications.

In addition, an injectable, long-acting (30 day) form of naltrexone (VIVITROL®) became available in 2006.1 These medications have been shown to help people with alcohol dependence reduce their drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, and achieve and maintain abstinence.1 Acamprosate is thought to work by reducing symptoms that follow lengthy abstinence, such as anxiety and insomnia.

If you are having difficulty with relationships, school, work and social activities as a direct result of alcohol drinking, this can be defined as a alcohol drinking problem. A doctor should be consulted if you feel that you or a member of your family has a drinking problem. Questionnaires and other screening tools are available to assist in making an assessment of a drinking problem.

Answer: It seems that some people have the genetic predisposition for the development, but this is still under study.

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal physician.

Consult your personal physician if you feel you or someone you know has a drinking problem. Other resources include the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service available at 1-800-662-HELP. This service can provide you with information about treatment programs in your local community and allow you to speak with someone about alcohol problems (6).

If you suspect you have a drinking problem you probably do. Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal physician.1 Answering the following four questions can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem:

Research indicates that only a small number of those with drinking problems will experience a progressive decline. An individual's drinking pattern frequently ebbs & flows over time. While "not drinking" may seem an unpleasant choice to someone who is currently a frequent and heavy drinker, research clearly indicates that even those labeled "alcoholic" have periods of normal drinking or even abstinence under the right conditions - if they so choose.

Answer: If you have an alcohol or drug problem, you can contact SBADP's administrative office at (805) 681-5440 for assistance in locating a service provider in your area or search our website for local alcohol or drug treatment services.

Casa Palmera's multidisciplinary staff treats individuals with co-occurring addictions as well as eating disorders and trauma such as post traumatic stress disorder. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol or drugs, speak with one of our intake coordinators and together we will determine how we can meet your needs effectively.

You can call Narconon's 24 hour hotline at 1-888-774-2345 for information about treatment programs in your local community and to speak to someone about an alcohol problem. Or go to the Need Help Now? section of this website. Many people also benefit from support groups. For information on local support meetings run by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), call your local AA chapter (check your local phone directory under "Alcoholism") or call 212-870-3400.

the present time, according to the experts, yes, most definitely Hepatic Porto-Systemic shunts are a genetic disorder. Those who engage in the dog breeding game of genetic wheel of fortune are challenged to arm themselves with information that is complex as well as mysterious. When the idiosyncrasies of breeding dogs confront me, I attack with the fervor possessed only by Jurassic Park's flesh eating dinosaurs. In this way, I attempt to convert road blocks into stepping stones.