Stanton Peele study reveals addiction is NOT genetically inherited.

avogadno's picture
Submitted by avogadno on Thu, 06/14/2012 - 16:15

Study Reveals Addictive Behaviors Are Not Genetically Inherited

"NEW YORK, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Dr. Stanton Peele's extensive research concludes that there is no evidence that biological or genetic mechanisms have been identified for addictive behavior or that addictive behavior is therefore inherited. The inherited addiction gene theory is widely used by the majority of alcohol and drug rehab programs, but Peele's research reveals that addiction is just too complicated to be contained within a simple inherited gene.

Throughout Peele's research, he relates the habitual behavior of smoking to an alcohol addiction. "How could an addiction like smoking be genetic? Does believing that an addiction like smoking is genetic help the person quit; are all those smokers who quit not genetically addicted?"

Peele adds another point of comparison to challenge the genetic theory referencing the rock band Aerosmith, all of which at one point consumed alcohol and drugs and then simultaneously attended AA recovery programs. "How unlikely a coincidence it is that five unrelated people with the addictive inheritance should run into one another and form a band?"

Mark Scheeren, Chairman of Saint Jude Retreats adds, "Addiction is simply a series of habitual behaviors which can be changed. Substance use boils down to a thought which is the conscious decision to drink and/or drug. There is no gene of addiction, unlike rehabilitation programs would like you to believe."

Peele's argument explains that there will always be a multitude of reasons why people choose to drink, and these factors are varied by circumstances and environment, not by genetics or neurochemistry in the brain.

Peele states, "People are blinded by genetic theories, so that they can't take in the facts all around them. Becoming -- and remaining -- addicted has a lot more to do with the groups people come from and associate with, and from their beliefs and expectations about substances (or other activities), than from their biological makeup."

Pleasurable activities can include more than substance use, such as activities that people repeat, in which case everything and anything can be "addictive," even walking and driving a car."

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/study- ... 2012-06-14

Comments

justme's picture

justme

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:35

You said:

But, how far back did you go in there family history.

That would be THEIR, not "there". Their is possessive. Also, you failed to put a question mark at the end of your question.

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:41

Always liked a good teacher.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Clara's picture

Clara

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 20:36

Thank you for the lesson. You can proofread Patti's posts next. Almost difficult to read.

We don't bother to correct typos and the like here, Justme. There were some that can do ten days on one.

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

patti

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:40

I grew up in a very tight knit community. The older kids were baby boomers. I knew thousands of kids & families & their grand parents, aunts & uncles. That is the type of neighborhood it was. People in the community knew me, all my siblings, parents, aunts & uncles, grand parents, even my great grand parents. 65 of my cousins lived in the community we grew up together. when you grew up you bought a house in the community, it was multiple generations. we knew whose parents drank, who had a drug addict sibling, who had a drunk Grandmom, etc. Both of my parents drank socially & responsibly, all of my grandparents & great grand parents were hard working & did not have drinking or drug problems. Neither did any of my aunts or uncles, it just didn't run in the family. Due to the times, illegal drug use exploded in the white community & so many of the older kids in the neighborhood became heroin addicts. They came from homes with no history of alcohol or drug abuse, I know because I knew generations of their families & was in & out of many, many neighborhood homes on a regular basis daily. We were a really tight community & knew each others business. My parents wound up with 3 children who became alcohol or drug addicts, one me now clean, one dead & one still drinking. No one else had a problem before us, going back 3 generations. Same with a lot of the problem drinkers, it didn't run in their families & I knew 3 generations of their families also. I also knew a lot of kids who had a parent that was a drunk, drank daily most functioned & worked hard some just lost it & got drunk all day. Those kids grew up, I'm still in contact with many from my childhood community & none of them ever developed an alcohol or drug problem. It's not a study, research or qualified investigation or evidence. But I knew & know 1,000's of people from that community & I know them & their history intimately & it did not appear to be a prevalent factor in our community. That drugs exploded into the white community during the 60's was the most devastating addiction problem that happened to people I grew up with. And pretty much every & any one will become addicted to opiates in a short amount of time & usage regardless of their genes.

patti

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:43

I can relate.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:18

Well, genes are probably not the only factor, and the genes that influence alcoholism might manifest themselves in other ways. It is not as simple as saying if you have gene "A" you will definitely be an alcoholic. Rather, it could be that gene "A," combined with gene "B," in environment "C," make a person more prone to certain dispositions that can be manifested by excessive drinking or other behaviors.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:27

I always thought inherent behaviors, environment and possibly mental predisposition. Mentally some are more inclined to be self destructive then others.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Anthro

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:57

The propensity for self-destructive behavior doesn't grow on trees. Studies have shown for many years that two major contributing factors to alcoholism/drug abuse include sugar "addiction" as a child and trauma, abuse, violence or a difficult childhood. It's ENVIRONMENTAL!!
THANKS STANTON PEELE!! GOOD JOB!

LONG LIVE THOMAS SZASZ, PEELE, RAGGE, TRIMPY AND HUNDREDS MORE WHO HAVE SHOWN FOR DECADES ALCOHOLISIM IS NOT A DISEASE AND HAS TOO LITTLE TO DO WITH GENES OR BIOLOGY TO RENDER IT WORTH MENTIONING!

Anthro

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:07

Perhaps the inclination toward being an artist is genetic.

Almost anyone can learn to play guitar. Joe Perry had to learn to play guitar. That does not mean anyone can learn to play guitar like Joe Perry.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:38

Looseness does not always equal maintenance of artistic integrity or striving for artistic growth. In fact in my experience with artists of all kinds, it often has the reverse effect, making their work pedestrian and redundant.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:39

Highly plausible theory, Pennywise. Art causes great pain as well as great joy.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

becket's picture

becket

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:12

"How did you read into these posts that the genetic link is bogus? Pennywise and gigi both concede that on some level there may be a connection, and I believe it myself. Your family is not a study group. If that were so I could unequivocally proclaim that there's no doubt that there is a genetic predisposition to alcohol dependence."

This sounds angry? Wow. Maybe there's a new cream for hypersensitivity.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

patti

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:01

No, I never bought the genetics that anyone is more predisposed to alcohol or drug or nicotine addiction. I always thought environment was more of a factor. Look @ the nations where alcohol addiction is prevalent, Russia & Ireland. Irish people were oppressed by the British & felt hopeless & were downtrodden & melancholy & often became problem drinkers. Russians also suffered tremendously their environment oppressive first by the Czars then by the Soviets, problem drinking is prevalent in that nation. In both countries there were many desperate incidents & much desperate history, starvation & famines, really horrible environments & situations. American Indians were also oppressed & depressed seriously mistreated & abused, they also have a tendency to have drinking problems. Jails & prisons in the U.S. are full of addicts both drug & alcohol & the majority of people in prison are poor & are from depressed & poor ghetto environments. Not saying that the wealthy & privileged can't become addicted but it is more prevalent in depressed oppressed & poor communities & environments. Do poor people have the genetic predisposition for alcohol or drug addiction more than the middle class or the privileged do, I think environment is a bigger factor than genes.

patti

becket's picture

becket

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:03

Then you concede that genes are a factor in the predisposition to alcohol dependence? If so, to what degree?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

justme's picture

justme

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:12

Then you concede that genes are a factor in the predisposition to alcohol dependence? If so, to what degree?

Posting on this forum is all about who's right and who's wrong to you, right? It's all black and white. There has to be an argument and someone has to be RIGHT while the others are WRONG. Am I right?

Geez, it get's old.

Bicker bicker bicker. "Then you CONCEDE"... sigh.......

becket's picture

becket

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:13

I asked a question. It is not about right and wrong. It is about viewpoint and perspective and belief. I am interested to know what supports the belief. OK?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:27

becket. Ask pennyW.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 12:15

Beliefs are real for the person believing them. That is the basis for any person's truth. Truth is organic, not static. It grows and changes for each person; individual experiences bring an evolution of beliefs. Since every person does not experience the same things in life, individual truths will vary in content and value.

Personal truth may include some things that are, or seem to be, immovable, such as mathematics or physics; but what is in focus here is more along the lines of memetics, or the application of units of culture, adaptable and easily transportable from mind to mind.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

patti

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:18

No I don't. I don't think that poor people have genes that are more predisposed to addiction than wealthy people. I think poor people & oppressed people become addicted due to environment & due to the depression & hopelessness of the environment.

patti

justme's picture

justme

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:40

No I don't. I don't think that poor people have genes that are more predisposed to addiction than wealthy people. I think poor people & oppressed people become addicted due to environment & due to the depression & hopelessness of the environment.

Well said. I totally agree with you. The less fortunate often have addiction problems due to their environment, because they're repressed and can't see a way out.

There are people, though, who are well-to-do and still have addiction problems because they hang out with other people who have addiction problems. Again, environment.

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:41

Do you mean that the less fortunate have more to drink and drug over? Do you believe that tenement living necessarily overshadows human spirit? Does growing up with one parent instead of two influence using? It all sounds like storefront excuses to me.

All poor people are not hopeless.
All oppressed people are not addicts.
All less-than-optimal environments do not create addicts and drunks.
Some addicts and drunks are white collar workers.
Some addicts and drunks do not live with economic insecurity.
Some addicts and drunks are college-educated, six- or seven-figure-earning men and women.
Some addicts and drunks have portfolios that make Donald Trump's look like a comic book.

Environment can be a factor but it is not always the explanation for why someone becomes a drunk or a junkie. Hope is available to anyone. It is free. It is just not always visible, or even valued, within certain cultures. When a culture dictates that it is preferable to work the system, to keep welfare flowing, and to die young of "glamorous" causes, what does that say?

There is no blanket explanation for the existence of substance dependence.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:05

I think environment is a bigger factor than genes.

Could be, but that doesn't by a long shot mean that genes don't play an important role.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:18

is it some will lay down the cigg's, booze, gambling, drugs for good, some will moderate and some will go to the gates of hell and all grew up on the same block. Better yet in some cases they all grew up in the same house.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Anthro

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:00

I'd be sucking down that vodka too if I lived in a hell hole like Russia.

Anthro

Ironic's picture

Ironic

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:55

But the situation in Russia is extremely multi-faceted and difficult for outsiders (I consider myself a semi-outsider, being a heritage speaker/learner and informed about the situation but hardly a Russian citizen) to understand.

I think this may be about to change, but Russians (and Belarusians and probably Ukrainians and who knows who else) don't consider beer to be alcohol. Same with kvass. They don't tax it as alcohol and people of all ages drink it..which isnt necessarily a problem..unless you don't consider somebody a drunk as long as they can keep a job and a roof.

There are many theories as to why, but the simple fact is that with this kind of saturation, they are definitely going to have more alcoholics.

patti

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 20:27

Drinking is a big part of the Russian culture, its acceptable to be a drunk & drink excessively. The Russian people were battered for years by oppressive governments, poverty, the nations inability to farm, feed & be self sufficient. There were really a lot of horrific situations in Russia, starvation, famines, mass poverty, poor living conditions & poor quality of life. Russians are bad asses, they can handle a lot of bad stuff, but they are prone to drink alcohol & their rough environment had a lot to do with their excessive consumptions of alcohol. Other countries Ukraine, Yugoslavia, etc. had Russification forced on them after WWII prior to that they had their own culture & they resisted the Soviets as much as they could but it wasn't easy to do so. When people are oppressed & repressed & do not have basic human rights of free speech or thought, are robbed of their own culture, they become depressed & feel hopeless, why not drink to escape a grim reality & existence? I would speculate its likely more people in Eastern Europe drank more during the years of Soviet occupation & terror. Italy consumes the most alcohol of any nation in the world but they do not have a problem with alcohol abuse. Being intoxicated is socially unacceptable in Italy it is just not done by Italians. The only drunk people I've ever seen in Italy are tourists. A lot of the bars in Italy do not have stools, people pop in & out for a drink. They drink daily but do not drink excessively & rarely become addicts. Smoking has become socially unacceptable in the U.S. & other countries. If something is socially unacceptable people are more apt to not do it. Smokers have become embarrassed to smoke in public & have slowed way down in public & private due to the social disapproval.

patti

patti

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:14

I still don't think it's a big factor, lots of people become addicts where there is no family history, the parents, siblings & extended family drink for pleasure no addiction problems. And lots of really messed up addicted parents have great kids who have no alcohol or drug addiction problems & drink alcohol for pleasure. Kids that grow up around a lot of drinking & drug abuse may be more likely to become addicts due to their parents behavior & their environment. A lot of abuse victims morph into abusers themselves as adults a learned behavior. If a kid is around smoking they might be more tempted to try it. Same with drinking or taking drugs. If a kid can't walk around the block without being able to buy drugs it's more likely they will try drugs due to accessibility. Put that same kid in a different environment & they have a better shot of not becoming an addict of anything regardless of their genes.

patti

justme's picture

justme

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:41

This is exactly correct. You're a fine writer. You explained it much better than I could have written it.

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 12:35

What kid walks around the block these days?

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

justme's picture

justme

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 13:02

All the kids in my neighborhood not only walk around the block, they walk to the store, they walk to the park, they walk to each other's houses, they walk to the pool. All kids walk. Adults should learn something from them and walk more. It's a healthy thing to do.

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:43

I guess you don't have video games in the homes in your neighborhood.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:17

Isn't this guy a doctor? I believe he also has a J.D. after his name. I also believe Dr. Steele has been studying, researching and working in the substance abuse industry for decades.

Bill W. never had a job he could keep for, what, 2-3 weeks at a time? Other than being a drunk, what did Bill W. bring to the table concerning alcohol abuse? Seriously, Bill W. had hallucinations, talked to god, god talked to Bill W., Bill W. talked to a dead monk from the 16th century. Bill W. was a depressed idiot that liked to take trips on acid and play with ouija boards and hold seances. Oh, and Bill W. brought a fucking god to the table, for christ's sake.

Dr. Bob was a damn ass doctor and a drunk.

What the fuck kind of training did these two morons have in substance abuse?

Seems to me that Dr. Peele just might know a little more on the subject than pennyW, gigi, judge becker, TRish and CLar.

Yep, I think I'll side with Dr. Peele until Vaillant, Jellinek and Mann come up with something concrete.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:20

But he is not a doctor such as a psychiatrist.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:21

There are plenty of MDs who say alcoholism is genetic. Not all of them are AA boosters. The question is not whether genetics influence behavior, but rather, how much genetics influence behavior.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:38

Peele brings more to the table in this argument than anybody on this forum. I stick with him.

There is no such thing as alcoholism, or nicotinism, or heroinism. barbituateism or foodism, for crying out loud. These are behaviours, plain and simple.

So if alcoholism doesn't exist, it can't have anything to do with genetics.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:40

Ok, so they are behaviors. I agree. Your position then is that genes have no influence on behavior?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:44

Are we also going to say that intelligence has no influence on behavior?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

gigi

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:47

I know this wasn't aimed at me, but I'd say without a doubt genes have influence on behaviors to an extent. I'd also say that our environment, how we live, what we live, what we are taught-either directly or indirectly-has a big impact on how these genetically influenced behaviors play out.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:49

Agreed, Gigi.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

gigi

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:52

"So if alcoholism doesn't exist, it can't have anything to do with genetics."

The spiritual malady/disease of alcoholism does not exist. That's made up. Addiction exists. Substance abuse exists. Why couldn't those have something to do with genetics?

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

gigi

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:43

"Seems to me that Dr. Peele just might know a little more on the subject than pennyW, gigi, judge becker, TRish and CLar."

This is probably true, LFOD. But that doesn't mean that we have to take his or anyone else's theory as the definitive last word on the subject.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:45

The same could be said about Dr. Vaillant or any MD who runs a 12 Step treatment center.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 18:53

We have all this acrimony.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Anthro

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:08

Wasn't Dr. Bob some kind of sadistic freakazoid who forced his daughter to marry some mean drunkard just to "keep it all in the family"?
Imagine a father forcing his daughter to leave the man she really loved for some prick in dad's new good old boy religious drunkards club!!
Nice father.......barf

Anthro

becket's picture

becket

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 15:44

Please give a link to the training offered in substance abuse in this country in 1935.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Sat, 06/16/2012 - 08:49

Thanks for reinforcing my point judge becket.

Bill W and Dr. Bob invented a harmful voodoo religious program in 1935. And it remains unchanged today, 2012.

AA kills people.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

Trisha K.'s picture

Trisha K.

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:01

"Peele states, "People are blinded by genetic theories, so that they can't take in the facts all around them."
"Becoming -- and remaining -- addicted has a lot more to do with the groups people come from and associate with, and from their beliefs and expectations about substances (or other activities), than from their biological makeup."

He makes a good point here. Staying addicted can be influenced by your environment and the people with in. I was encouraged to go on longer with my addiction because of the people in my life and once I was alone, the walls of sadness and guilt quickly crashed on my parade. I stopped shortly after I was finally alone.

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:07

Right. I don't think Peele is saying that genetics are irrelevant. I think he is saying that treatment professionals are currently placing too much emphasis on genetics. I think he has a good point, but I don't think we should go so far in the other direction as to totally discount the role genetics play in human behavior.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

gigi

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 19:43

Right. When it comes down to crunch time-helping someone who is addicted to a substance-what immediate importance does it have whether or not a person was genetically predisposed to become addicted? What good does it do to tell that person, "Well, it's an inherited disease and you're powerless over it." If I'm sick because I'm addicted to booze, have chronic back pain, or diabetes, I want my symptoms treated and I want effective treatment and reccomendations that I can actually follow to keep my symptoms in check. I don't want to be told that the best I can do is admit that I'm powerless and pray that I survive.

"If I forget who I am, I am myself. If I remember who I am, I am you."

Clara's picture

Clara

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 22:35

Absolutely it can. Why do you think that people, places and things are a big deal in AA?

Remember Christopher Stevens when you vote.

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