Our genetic makeup is the map that dictates what our lives will be like, it's what makes us human. It defines the color of our hair, our eyes and our skin, our size and what we will suffer from. Genetics can determine whether we will suffer from dementia, heart disease, or alcoholism, for that matter. Several genes can trigger alcoholism and they can be inherited over several generations. If someone close to us has suffered from alcoholism, it is likely that we carry the gene that causes the development of the disease (Horvath). But what is sometimes overlooked is that if we have a gene for alcoholism, it is not certain that we will develop the disease. This means that we could be alcoholics, but for that to happen, an external factor must trigger it. Among these factors, media exposure is strong because it changes our point of view, leading us to believe what the advertisements say and start drinking heavily without knowing that the alcoholism gene is present. This increases the risk of developing the disease. In his article “Genetics is a Big Factor in Alcoholism,” Dr. Glen Hanson states, “No one is born an addict. » We are born with a certain hair or eye color, and there is nothing we can do about it, short of dyeing our hair a different color, but that will be another story. If we are born with a gene that may lead to alcoholism, there are steps we can take to avoid it, such as abstinence or controlling our alcohol consumption. So, “Just because you are prone to addiction doesn’t mean you will become addicted. It just means you have to be careful” (Hanson). While genetics defines what we will look like in a physical way, psychology defines our more personal lives...... middle of paper ..... . Factor in Addiction." Learn.Genetics. University of Utah, nd Web. November 2013. .4. Horvath, A. Tom, Ph.D. "The psychological causes of alcoholism." AMHC. Mental Health Center of Aroostook, 2013. .5. Kilbourne, Jean. “Deadly Persuasion: 7 Myths Advertisers Want You to Believe” Alcoholism Center, nd. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Web. November 2013. .7. When a man loves a woman. Real. Luis Mandoki. Prod. Jon Avnet. Perf. Andy Garcia, Meg Ryan. Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, 1994.