According to new research, heavy drinkers can alter their DNA in ways to increase the desire for alcohol which may help explain why addiction is so powerful and hard to resist.
The study, conducted in the US, assessed two genes - one which influences the body clock, and the other which regulates stress responses, finding that the two genes had undergone ‘epigenetic’ changes in both heavy and binge drinkers, but not moderate drinkers.
Scientists say this may contribute to new ways of treating alcoholism, or to prevent at-risk people from becoming addicted.