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 comprehensive and reasoned overview of what their research has to offer.

Beginning with basic information on the properties of alcohol and alcohol abuse, Dr. Goodwin brings to light the issues that alcoholics and their families must face:

How and why do certain people become alcoholics? How occasional drinkers can become heavy drinkers and alcoholics.

Which relatives of alcoholics are most at risk? Up-to-date evidence on how the disease is “passed along”—from fathers to sons, mothers to daughters, grandparents to grandchildren—how often it happens and what factors influence who “inherits” and who doesn’t.

If you or a loved one are predisposed, what can you do? Dr. Goodwin explains the treatments that are available and what the future may hold—from drugs that stop an alcoholic’s excessive drinking to education that could keep him from starting to drink at all.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs