I have read (somewhere, will try to find article again)that...

I have read (somewhere, will try to find article again)that there is a link between genetics and alcoholism and that there is a school of thought that some indigenous races have a higher incidence of alcoholism based on the way that the body metabolizes alcohol. (I'm guessing that it is somewhat linked to the fact that some indigenous races are also more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes.)
So, perhaps not just a social malady? Perhaps genetics play a part in it?