Effects of Alcohol and Drug Use on Genetic Conditions

Most of us know that alcohol or drug use during pregnancy carries a high risk of genetic birth defects. However, alcohol or drug dependency can continue to affect genetic conditions even in adults. Chemical dependency heightens the risks surrounding genetic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Effects of Alcohol or Drug Use on Genetic Conditions

Alcohol or drug dependency can also cause genetic risks to manifest themselves into full-blown conditions, as well as trigger early onset or worsening of genetic conditions that would already occur. Here are just a few of the genetic conditions that become affected by chemical dependency.

• Diabetes
  When alcohol enters the system, it can trigger episodes of low blood sugar. Over time, heavy alcohol use begins to affect the liver, impeding its ability to process glucose properly and efficiently, making diabetes harder to control. Drinking alcohol can also exacerbate symptoms of nerve damage in diabetics, such as burning, numbness, and tingling in the extremities after only a few drinks a week.

  High levels of alcohol intake can worsen diabetic-related vision problems and eye disease. Even light levels of alcohol intake can raise triglyceride levels in diabetics, skyrocketing the risks of heart disease and stroke.

• Cancer
  Alcohol and drug consumption has been linked to higher levels of cancer risk. In fact, studies have shown that a host of cancers, such as larynx, pharynx, esophageal, mouth and liver cancers occur more frequently in those with chemical dependency issues. Even those cancers not caused by alcohol or drug consumption can be affected by use. For instance, studies have shown that among women who consume a single drink daily, breast cancer risk rises. A 2001 study even showed that women predisposed to breast cancer double their risk with regular alcohol use.
• Heart Disease
  Alcohol and drug use significantly affect the incidence of heart disease. Taxation on the heart muscle from drug-induced arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) often triggered by stimulant use can cause weakening of the heart muscle and walls. Heart attack survivors who continue to drink even moderate levels of alcohol can further damage the heart muscle, making their risk of fatality or repeated heart attack higher. Both alcohol and drugs heighten blood pressure, putting the heart further at risk for heart attacks or stroke. Even alcohol use alone can lead to enlargement of the heart, known as cardiomyopathy, as a result of thickening and weakening of the heart’s muscle.

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