Introduction
Alcoholic beverages have been around for more than ten thousand years, with their beginnings in ancient civilizations (Drug-rehabs, 2003). While methods of production and social factors surrounding alcohol have changed throughout history, humans seem to be universally at risk for alcohol dependence. This universal risk suggests a biological underpinning. But why would alcohol dependence be biologically perpetuated though our genes? How could this be evolutionarily beneficial?
Symptoms
Principal symptoms of alcoholism include (NIAAA, 2004):Proximate Causes
While there is no clear physical cause for alcoholism, there are several factors that can put people at risk. Men are more vulnerable than women, and rates are higher in those between 18 and 29 years of age (Drug-rehabs, 2003). Social influences also play a large role. High levels of stress, alcohol reinforcement and a lack of other coping mechanisms all contribute (eMedicine.com, 2005).
Vulnerability however, seems to have a strong genetic element as well (Nesse & Williams, 1995). Adoption studies have shown that alcoholism rates are more closely associated with individual’s biological parents. Furthermore, many genes are now being found that in certain forms, increase vulnerability to alcoholism. This includes a more recent discovery of an a D2 dopamine receptor allele (eMedicine.com, 2005).
Evolutionary Causes
The best evolutionary explanation available for alcoholism was put forth by Dudley in 2000. It suggests that wild fruits, particularly ripe ones, contained alcohol in lower concentrations. Though these concentrations were quite low, a human’s genetically imprinted attraction to alcohol could lead them to fruiting trees and nourishment. Thus, when humans began fermenting in ancient times to preserve foods, they came across more of this alcohol that had been so advantageous in smaller amounts (Levey, 2004).
However, even with the invention of fermentation, people would have had to create wine or alcohol in their homes. Hence, alcoholism would be rare since the amount of alcohol that could be created and consumed would be far too little. With urbanization and commercialization however, frequent consumption became possible since it could now be purchased in large quantities (Nesse & Williams, 1995). Distillation also added to the problem. Relatively low concentrations of alcohol could be achieved originally, but once distillation became commonplace, alcohol became stronger and more addictive. Thus it’s appeal in wild fruits carried over with addiction when alcohol becoming stronger and more common (Nesse & Williams, 1995).
Treatment
Treatment consists of three principal steps: intervention, detoxification and rehabilitation. In intervention, the alcoholic is approached and gently confronted by loved ones. Detoxification consists of complete abstinence from alcohol in a supervised setting. They are then monitored for other issues during detoxification, since alcoholism is often an attempt to self-treat an illness or problem. They are then treated with counseling or other means. This is often done by recovered alcoholics who can act as models (Cruz, V. 2002).
I do not believe this treatment should be changed based on the evolutionary perspective. Principally because alcohol is found in fruits which humans need. Perhaps the only benefit from this perspective could be to change the abnormal circumstances surrounding alcohol to prevent alcoholism. This would include limiting concentrations of alcohol in drinks and its availability.
Cruz, V. 2002. Alcoholism. Available from: http://health.allrefer.com/health/alcoholism-symptoms.html. Accessed 2005 Feb 23.
Drug-Rehabs.Org. 2003. The History of Alcohol. Available from: http://www.drug-rehabs.org/alcoholhistory.php. Accessed 2005 Feb 23.
eMedicine.com. 2005. Alcoholism. Available from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/18863-2.asp. Accessed 2005 Feb 23.
Levey, D. 2004. The Evolutionary Ecology of Ethanol Production and Alcoholism. Integrative and Comparative Biology 44(4). Available from: http://www.bioone.org/bioone/?request=get-document&issn=1540-7063&volume=044&issue=04&page=0284. Accessed 2005 Feb 23.
[NIAAA] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 2004. Alcoholism: Getting the Facts. Available from:http://www.niaaa.nih.gov. Accessed 2005 Feb 23.
Nesse, R & Williams, G. 1995. Why We Get Sick. New York: Vintage Books. 105, 152 p.
This webpage was created to fulfill a course requirement for ZOO*1500 at the University of Guelph
By Matthew Lawrie
