Genetic studies conducted in various ethnic groups have confirmed that certain allele variations of ADH offer strong protection against alcohol addiction. Alcoholics are less likely to possess allele variations of ADH and ALDH, which metabolise alcohol, when compared to non-alcoholics. Findings from various studies suggest that the strong genetic influence found in alcoholism is related to inherited gene variations of enzymes that alter alcohol metabolism. These gene variations contribute to the development of alcohol addiction through a mechanism that is not as yet known [15-20].
