Is Alcoholism Hereditary?A pioneering, comprehensive guide to the genetics of alcoholism Historically it has been widely accepted that alcoholism runs in families. Only during the last century did it become fashionable to blame alcoholism on faulty upbringing, lack of willpower, or heartbreaking disappointment. Now with the medical community again focusing on the influence of heredity on alcoholism, noted psychiatrist and researcher Donald W. Goodwin, MD, provides a