Genes and Environment

How do Genes and Environments work together to influence behavior?

This section will explore how our genes might interact with our different environments.

The key takeaway: No one is ‘destined’ to develop alcohol use problems based upon their DNA. The likelihood that an individual will develop problems is a product of both their genes and their environments. Environmental conditions can change the likelihood that someone who is genetically at risk will develop problems. Learn more about how different environments can alter risk.

Explore a few different ways the environment and genes can influence outcomes by interacting with the sections below. Elements of each section will display information when you interact with it.

Parenting

Peers

Marriage

Neighborhood

 
Remember, every person is a combination of their own unique genes and environmental experiences. These graphics represent how, overall, certain environments tend to impact the relative importance of genetic influences on alcohol use under different circumstances.

Parenting

Parents often wonder whether there is something they can do to help prevent alcohol problems in their children. One of the biggest ways parents can influence whether their children are at risk of developing alcohol problems is by monitoring their activities – knowing who they are with, where they are going, and what they are doing.

High Monitoring

 

Low Monitoring

 

Nature vs Nurture?
Genes
Shared
Environment

Dig into the research

Changing environmental influences on substance use across development.
Dick DM, Pagan JL, Viken R, Purcell S, Kaprio J, Pulkkinen L, Rose RJ.Twin Res Hum Genet. 2007 Apr;10(2):315-26. doi: 10.1375/twin.10.2.315.


Peer Influence

Associating with peers who use alcohol can increase risk, particularly among those who are genetically vulnerable. Substance using peers can increase an adolescent’s access to alcohol and other drugs, and model social norms accepting of alcohol.

High
Peer Use

Low
Peer Use

What about your friends?
Genes
Shared
Environment

Dig into the research

Changing environmental influences on substance use across development.
Dick DM, Pagan JL, Viken R, Purcell S, Kaprio J, Pulkkinen L, Rose RJ.Twin Res Hum Genet. 2007 Apr;10(2):315-26. doi: 10.1375/twin.10.2.315.


Marriage

Did you know that being in a romantic relationship can alter your risk of developing alcohol problems? Supportive partners can decrease risk, even among those who are genetically vulnerable.

Married
Adults

Unmarried
Adults

To have and to hold?
Genes
Shared
Environment

Dig into the research

Interactive effects of genotype and social environment on alcohol consumption in female twins.
Heath AC, Jardine R, Martin NG. J Stud Alcohol. 1989 Jan;50(1):38-48. doi: 10.15288/jsa.1989.50.38


Neighborhood Instability

Neighborhoods can increase or decrease risk, especially for those who are genetically at risk. Some neighborhoods provide more access to alcohol, less community monitoring, and more stressors.

Less
Stability

More
Stability

Won’t you be my neighbor?
Genes
Shared
Environment

Dig into the research

Exploring gene-environment interactions: socioregional moderation of alcohol use.
Dick DM, Rose RJ, Viken RJ, Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M.J Abnorm Psychol. 2001 Nov;110(4):625-32. doi: 10.1037//0021-843x.110.4.625.PMID: 11727951