- Alcohol
- Friends & Family
Submitted by: Margaret Phillips
Alexis embarked on a journey of discovery in 2001 when she realized and accepted that her father was an alcoholic. Actually, the disease runs throughout her family, including her sister who has been in long-term recovery since 2008.
It was on that day back in 2001 that Alexis decided she needed to find answers about what was going on in her family. She had already completed her undergraduate degree in biology and was working as a research scientist for a genetics research company when someone mentioned doing genetic research specifically related to alcoholism and addiction. The light bulb went off! Alexis had always been interested in human behavior and the role genetics plays in that because of her experiences living with an alcoholic father. The idea of the shift in career focus seemed like the perfect fit. She applied to graduate school, was accepted, and completed her PhD in Genetics. This began her quest for answers.
Her family history, the desire to understand her dad, and her passion for science all led her directly to the field of psychiatric genetics where she sought to work with the best researchers in the field to help “re-search” for answers to alcohol use disorders. She has seen first-hand the stigma attached to alcoholics, but what is just as alarming is the same stigma being attached in the research community for those that seek answers to psychiatric and behavioral disorders.
As she mentioned when we spoke, research on mental illness and substance use disorders isn’t as glamorous in the eyes of the public as say cancer or heart disease. Within the scientific community other researchers see those that study addiction and mental health issues as second-class citizens so to speak. The stigma is real and IT IS EVERYWHERE.
Alexis has found through her career that there are barriers to researching mental health and addiction just as there are barriers for those seeking help. First, there is the money. Because there is so much stigma, among some other reasons, the larger supporters of medical research tend to funnel more dollars towards other fields of science. But, that is slowly changing, which is a good thing! The second barrier is really all about the stigma itself faced by those suffering from the disease and those like Alexis who are making a career out of trying to find answers. Finally, the biggest barrier is simply the lack of understanding by everyone about the impact genetics can play in so many aspects of our lives.
When she talked about why she does what she does regardless of the stigma and barriers she faces you can see her passion as well as her compassion for her research. Her motivation is simple – to help people. As she explains it, based on her personal experiences, watching these disorders tear apart lives is heartbreaking.
Because more light is being cast on addiction and mental health, I asked Alexis to talk about some breakthroughs in medical science that she would like to see in her lifetime. Those include the definite proof that genes does have significant impact on risk for certain psychiatric and mental health disorders. It’s something that everyone can understand in theory, but proving it without the shadow of a doubt is difficult. This discovery would be huge. Something else she hopes to see is public understanding of genetic risks to the extent that it could influence decisions. As she put it, she knows her family history, has studied the impact of genetics, and makes a conscious effort to be aware of what she is susceptible to.
Alexis is also aware that this knowledge alone can’t necessary stop someone from drinking, but believes that knowledge is power. For example, one of her recent research studies found that adolescents with ADHD hyperactivity also have a genetic risk for alcohol problems later in life. She focuses on making these types of connections so the public can be armed with the information they need to assess their own individual risk factors which hopefully creates more awareness. Sometimes just planting the seed is enough.
Though her research isn’t focused on dealing directly with people who have substance use disorders, Alexis had the opportunity, thanks to research funding, to sit with alcoholics and addicts in the hospital as they were being interviewed as well as attend some group counseling sessions. It was this exposure that she felt was invaluable to her as a researcher. She feels strongly that this perspective contributes exponentially to her focus within her specific research area, and it is an opportunity she is grateful to have had.
Growing up in an alcoholic home can impact so many areas of a person’s life. As Alexis puts it, her personal experiences drive her in her career to find answers. She IS making a difference. It will take an army to help break the stigma, but Alexis is doing her part!