View Full Version : genetic alcoholic?
im wondering if people are more prone to alcoholism...than others.
does this run in the family?...
The Ogre
03-01-2007, 01:15 PM
There certainly is a genetic component to alcoholism. It's debatable what has more of an influence on the drinker though. If you are raised in a family that drinks and socially accepts alcohol then there is a better chance that you would look on drinking as no big deal. It's another one of the nature vs. nurture type of arguments.
Short answer: yes genetics can have an effect on alcoholism. It's just not known to what extent.
http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2003/study-alcoholism-influenced.html
Ricardo
03-01-2007, 04:38 PM
I've heard someone with experience refer to a "child of an alcoholic syndrome" which affects how they react in relationships.
I also know someone who's father abused alcohol, and he won't even knowingly have it in a wine sauce for example, where the actual alcohol would have dissipated from the dish. He seems obsessed in avoiding it.
QuietLunatic
03-02-2007, 12:55 AM
My father was a violent alcoholic. There are 8 of us in my family. My oldest brother does NOT drink at all. The next brother, before he moved, grew grapes in his yard and made wine for many years. The next brother has one drink every day. Then comes two sisters, and both drink socially. Then comes a brother who joined AA many years ago. Then my sister and me, who also drink socially. I think we're all aware that the possibility is there, and we all cope with it differently.
ozzie
03-04-2007, 05:33 AM
I've heard someone with experience refer to a "child of an alcoholic syndrome" which affects how they react in relationships.
I also know someone who's father abused alcohol, and he won't even knowingly have it in a wine sauce for example, where the actual alcohol would have dissipated from the dish. He seems obsessed in avoiding it.
I'm also a person who won't drink alcohol. I've tried it a few times but I have a real fear of the possibility that I might become addicted since my father was. I was certainly addicted to cigarettes and don't ever want to have to break another addiction. (I quit that one seven years ago)
britjojo
03-09-2007, 01:26 AM
The nature versus nurture aspect has already been discussed, but I think that a little of it has been overlooked.
I think that in some families, the alcohol education that one receives can actually help prevent misuse. That is, by allowing drinking in the home, in a controlled manner, a person learns to control themselves and learns their limits.
Too often I have seen friends from tee total households reach the age of legal drinking, and go nuts. Go on a three day bender that lands them in hospital, or simply overdo it to the point that they cannot go without it.
mtajim
03-12-2007, 10:30 AM
This is the problem sometimes, many time people start drinking seeing there parents drink and get addicted to it.
shinningstar
03-12-2007, 11:48 AM
That's why parents must always be a good example to their kids. My grandfather is alcoholic. I'm glad because my father is opposite of alcoholic as well as my brothers too. We only drink alcohol during special occasions.
mtajim
03-15-2007, 08:15 AM
If there people in family who drink too much, that gives direct effect to other kids in family , they feel a curisosity of that thing , and give it a try and finally get addicted to it
britjojo
03-15-2007, 02:06 PM
I don't think it's as simple as that. Not everyone who tries it becomes addicted; if they did then there would be a far bigger problem than there is now. Also, some see how their loved one is and it repulses them. So seeing it regularly can be a turn off too.
I'm also a person who won't drink alcohol. I've tried it a few times but I have a real fear of the possibility that I might become addicted since my father was. I was certainly addicted to cigarettes and don't ever want to have to break another addiction. (I quit that one seven years ago)
what was your trick to quitting?..and how long did you smoke for?
nomorealcohol
04-27-2007, 08:03 PM
I don't think it's as simple as that. Not everyone who tries it becomes addicted; if they did then there would be a far bigger problem than there is now. Also, some see how their loved one is and it repulses them. So seeing it regularly can be a turn off too.
You're right it's not that simple. The problem is you just don't know who will get addicted. I've heard the theory that people need to be taught responsibly in the home but I don't buy that one. I'm one of those who don't drink because I don't want to be an alcoholic. I love my life and my family too much to do that to them.
My husband on the other hand rarely drinks but does get drunk on rare occasions and I can't stand that. This past weekend he got drunk at a First Communion party and we were the Godparents! I was mortified. I have asked him not to drink. His Dad's brother died from alcoholism. He has an Uncle on his Mom's side who is very ill and continues to drink heavily even though it is adversely affecting his health. Another uncle just fell off the wagon and in the past his alcoholic behavior has worried the family and now they are just holding their breath. Two other uncles I never see them sober at a family party. So this year my husband ruined a post Easter celebration and last year it was one of his uncles who was drunk at a party the day before Easter. I spent the whole time in the kitchen with his wife who was seething mad about it. This year it was me who was mad and embarrassed.
I wonder now if my husband is a dry drunk and/or a periodic drunk. I've asked him not to drink any more. He thinks I'm over reacting but says he won't because it's easier than trying to convince me otherwise when my mind is set. He expects me to remind him not to drink. He doesn't get that sobriety needs to be his choice or it won't work. I feel I have a long road ahead of me but I don't feel up to it. I told him I'm not going to wait until he's drunk the day before Easter at 3PM like his uncle. I'm not going to wait until it's that bad. I've had enough already.
mtajim
06-03-2007, 06:38 AM
I never tried alcohol since i thouht it was aginst my religion, but i sometime tried smoking which i really didnt liked because of smoke .
angel274998213
07-14-2007, 04:46 AM
My dad was an alcoholic, but a non abusive one..but emotionally not there for us kids. Lately i noticed i have been drinking alot more. My grandfather was also a alcoholic,,,actually many members of my family were alcoholics//I can remeber my dad giving me a drink of beer when i was only 6 ... Anyway, i seem to be drinking more ,,,it was only on the weekends, know it is two or three times a week...Was wondering is it genetic::(
Ricardo
07-15-2007, 03:22 PM
I agree that there can be a psychological effect of seeing a parent addicted, which may be aside from a genetic effect.
QuietLunatic
07-16-2007, 01:28 AM
The effect of seeing our alcoholic father has kept my oldest brother from drinking at all his entire life. He turned 65 this year and just doesn't drink because he never wanted to be like our father.
aima123
07-16-2007, 09:58 AM
I am a daughter of an alcoholic father, who's really a burden to us when he got drunk. Fortunately my brothers doesn't follow his step because we didn't like his attitude being an alcoholic one. So it depends upon to other members of the family if they really want to have a try until they became dependent on it.
QuietLunatic
07-16-2007, 01:22 PM
You also don't know who in a family will inherit the addictive gene. I have that one brother who doesn't drink at all, another joined AA years and years ago because it was ruining his life, the rest of us are social drinkers who can take it or leave it.
addiction
08-25-2007, 11:59 AM
It is just nonsense to say that alcoholism is in genes. There is not even a 1% of truth in it. It is the culture and the situation which I believe make the person alcoholic. It would be wrong if you blame genes for it.
james
08-25-2007, 12:37 PM
im wondering if people are more prone to alcoholism...than others.
does this run in the family?...
There is a large genetic component in alcoholism - you can see that by looking at groups that developed without alcohol such as Native Americans and Australian aborigines. Both have enormous problems with alcoholism which can only be explained by a genetic predisposition.
james
08-25-2007, 12:42 PM
It is just nonsense to say that alcoholism is in genes. There is not even a 1% of truth in it. It is the culture and the situation which I believe make the person alcoholic. It would be wrong if you blame genes for it.
Do you have any evidence for this rather bold assertion? If there were no genetic component then a culture like America would have similar levels of alcohol abuse across their ethnic groups - they do not
addictionstyle
08-29-2007, 01:09 PM
No dear alcoholism does not run in the genes. Chromosomes are not responsible for the alcoholism it is the social circle of the person and the mental state of the person which generally decide it.
easternbrain
08-31-2007, 04:12 AM
Well I dont know about the researchs in the areas but I personally feel that there is more of a social effect rather than a genetic effect on aloholism.
If there is a family of drunkards then the child will start to drink by looking at their behaviour right from his childhood rather than something in his genes forcing him to do so.
Personally I see both sides.
I blame my addiction on the fact that I had my first beer before I was 10. I grew up around alcohol and I wanted to act "grown up".
On the other hand I have a close friend that grew up Amish. He decided to pull away so he could go to public school and play football. After winning a home-coming game we went to a kegger where he had the first drink in his life. That was 21 years ago and saddly enough he hasn't stopped yet either.