My genes made me do it

[nihilisticle]

The downside of genetic studies for behavioral problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcoholism/drug addiction and other related problems is that a) no study has ever confirmed a genetic link and b) it absolves the person afflicted and their familes of responsibility for their actions (at least, in most cases). Groups like NAMI tout the genetic basis to give the parents a false resolution of guilt. They also encourage taking drugs such as neuroleptics to "return the individual into society." This can and often does lead to a patient thinking: "If I just take my pills, I'll be ok. They make me sane." The neuroleptics, however, were never intended to "fix" disorders like schizophrenia or even treat the symptoms. Examination of the historical records regarding thorazine (the first neuroleptic) show they were intended to be a replacement for lobotomy. And the newer drugs are no better. The neurons linking the frontal lobes to the rest of the brain suffer a depletion in dopamine following a dose of neuroleptics and, eventually, cause an atrophy of this higher functioning part of the brain. Remember what lobotomies were? They were a severing of the nerves from the frontal lobes to the rest of the brain. Pretty chilling, isn't it?
An alcoholic, schizophrenic, or manic depressive must remember they still have rights, valid opinions and the option to refuse brain damage in the name of therapy.
Note: I wrote this a long time ago.  I've since learned that thorazine was originally an anesthetic - not necessarily nullifying the pain, but making the recipient of the drug so docile that a doctor could do whatever they wanted with him/her.

[AFK]

Groups like NAMI tout the genetic basis to give the parents a false resolution of guilt.

In some cases, yes.
In other cases, (Down's Syndrome and other genetic birth defects) it can help keep the birth mother from beating herself up for something that was out of her hands. 

[nihilisticle]

I agree.

[nihilisticle]

However, note that NAMI is the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; not the National Alliance for Those With Genetic Defects.  They are also funded primarily through pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lily (this information is easily obtained just by googling "Nami funding").

[AFK]

Noted, of course you said "groups like NAMI"

[nihilisticle]

Yes, that was ambiguous.  My bad.  There are plenty of other groups out there offering "support" and "medical" advice.  For example: the website healthyplace.com is full of people with a homogeneous view that. "We are sick.  We need our pills." and the most-often used piece of advice is: "Call your shrink."
There's also crazymeds.com (or something like it)
WebMD
Depressionisreal.org (funded by, oh my!, pharm. co's)

[AFK]

The ability of coping and persevering have seemingly waned as time has gone on. 
Also, we live in the era of the "Easy Button".  And it isn't just for paper-clip holders.