Which statement about parental alcoholism and a child's risk of alcoholism is accurate?

• A. Children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics themselves.
• B. There is no relationship between parental alcoholism and the child's risk.
• C. Only adopted children are affected by parental alcoholism.
• D. Parental alcoholism guarantees the child will become an alcoholic.

Answer: (A)

Having an alcoholic parent increases a child’s risk for alcoholism because of a combination of genetic susceptibility and the family environment. Some people inherit genes that raise their likelihood of developing alcohol problems, and being around alcohol, seeing drinking as normal, and dealing with family stress can shape how a person uses alcohol. Because of these factors, children of alcoholic parents are statistically more likely to develop alcoholism than those without such a history. But this is not deterministic—the outcome isn’t guaranteed, and many children with alcoholic parents do not become alcoholics, just as some with no family history can develop problems. The other statements aren’t accurate: there is a relationship to risk, it isn’t limited to adopted children, and parental alcoholism does not guarantee the child will become an alcoholic.