According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Research shows genes are responsible for about half of the risk for AUD” (alcohol use disorder) (NIAAA). A reader couldn’t be blamed for raising an eyebrow at such a statistic. For those who carry the genetic predisposition, there is a 50% chance of developing the disorder themselves. Though this can be concerning, genetics are not the only risk factor at play. Environmental influences a person is exposed to also contributes to the likelihood of developing an AUD. As you can imagine, having the combined genetic predisposition and the environmental influence of growing up in a household experiencing alcoholism further strengthens this likelihood. As researchers continue to understand the inheritability of AUD, new studies suggest the manifestation of these genetic predispositions may be influenced by a person’s sex.