There seems to be a common perception that there’s reason to argue about “nature vs. nurture.” There isn’t. Neither genetics nor environment play a bigger role in human development. The reality that modern research is presenting is that the argument isn’t nature vs. nurture; it’s nature AND nurture. The combination of genetics and upbringing determines how we turn out.
Case in point: A recent study of adolescent drinking behavior showed that if a person indicated a genetic predisposition to alcoholism and if that person lived near an alcohol sales outlet, then that person would more than likely develop an alcohol use disorder. Furthermore, this study showed that without a genetic predisposition, neither the density of alcohol sales outlet nor the proximity to one mattered at all.
Here’s the thing, though: There’s a cycle in how circumstances program our genetic makeup. Over time, circumstances such as poverty, trauma, and lack of healthcare team up to create the very conditions needed for any type of substance use disorder. More and more evidence is mounting that suggests that historical trauma creates a genetic predisposition to PTSD. Since and type of Addiction is an anxiety disorder, the evidence does suggest that the more humans live in alienating circumstances, the more likely they will become “programmed” towards substance use disorders.
Stores that sell alcohol are very aware of these issues and use the circumstances to their advantage. In Santa Fe, NM (my home), there are far more liquor sales outlets on the south side of town than there are on the north side. As an interesting aside, there are far more bookstores on the north side of town than there are on the south side. This disparity is due to economics: There are more middle to lower class people living in the south side than there are on the north side. There are even stores that sell alcohol located near fast food joints, providing further evidence that access to fast, cheap food correlates with alcohol consumption. These stores and fast food joints are all near neighborhoods in which middle to lower class people live.
Santa Fe isn’t different than other cities. Studies indicate this trend across the nation. However, we need to be aware of these issues such that we can attempt to disrupt this cycle within our own families. Then, we can lobby our elected officials to limit alcohol licensing in poorer areas and distribute them to richer areas. The liquor stores would probably like access to more money….(For more about genetics read this…)
