Is tolerance for alcohol based on your genetics?

Partially it is.: Some people will naturally have a higher tolerence for alcohol, factors such as family history of alcoholism, certain ethnic groups may have a higher or lower tolerence. People do metabolize alcohol at different rates. Also people who tend to drink excessivly just become more tolerant to alcohols effects more than people who don't, becoming more tolerant is a risk factor for alcoholism.

In part: Some people are born without an enzyme that helps metabolize alcohol, and if they take in even small amounts they can get sick. Others appear to have inherited more tolerance. However, tolerance is usually based on how much you drink how often - the more you drink the more often the more tolerant you get to alcohol, and the more you need to get intoxicated. However, you still get the toxicity.