Predisposition for alcoholism is hertiable.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa60.htm

Given that, is there a specific genetic study saying the genetic condition is inherited in Native Americans (and I guess specifically the Lakota)?

> a specific genetic study saying the genetic condition is inherited

These studies are not really about one genetic condition that causes alcoholism, but genes or combinations that provide higher odds of immunity.

There is an a gene more dominant in parts of Asia that increases short term side effects for alcohol, reducing alcoholism.

Europe is suspected to have similar changes through genes that are less compatible with alcoholism dominating over others that might be better for most things, but not for the pickle that was the middle ages.

As someone posted NIH below, it's not a far reach to believe some populations have this gene.

And no, it's not an excuse to give up on them, just a hurdle that needs to be overcome.

Why so snarky? It would be pretty surprising if there weren't a genetic component to differences in populations.

I was involved in social services in the 90's on a reservation and "genetics" was one of those fun ways for people to give up (both the alcoholic and service providers "waste of money of those people"). I'm not terribly convinced seeing how different families have gone.

I think you've hit on one of the main reasons people get uncomfortable talking about genetic explanations for behavioral differences; it starts to sound like you're saying that some groups can't be helped or that there's an implied ranking of populations. Neither, of course, follows.