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2007-02-07 07:10:54 · 12 answers · asked by superhappytacklepounce 2 in Health Mental Health

12 answers

Yes - and no. The "nature" versus "nurture" debate concerning alcoholism has been going on for many years. First, the terminology used can be very confusing and misleading.

Alcohol abusers may or may not be alcohol dependent (commonly called alcoholics). Alcohol dependency (also called alcoholism) has a high genetic predisposition, but that does not mean all children of alcoholics will develop the disease if they drink alcohol. Children with one parent that is alcoholic have a 25% chance; children with both parents alcoholic have a 50% chance.

The most well-known studies were conducted with sets of twins of an alcoholic parent that were raised by their parents and others that were adopted. The studies showed that the child of alcoholics that were adopted and raised in a home without alcohol use had a greater chance of becoming alcoholic even with nonalcoholic adopted parents. Attend an AA meeting and see that the majority have either an alcoholic parent or close relative that's alcoholic.

However, some studies have shown that in rare instances a person without alcoholism in their family can still become an alcoholic by repeated, excessive drinking. Again, this is rare.

I've seen all sorts of scenarios regarding alcohol use in families. There's no set rule. Statistically, children of alcoholics have a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic themselves, but if they never drink, they'll never become an alcoholic. The genes involved are for risk, not for destiny. The genetic research being conducted could help in identifying young people at risk of becoming alcoholics and could lead to early prevention efforts.

I hope this helps.

Rick the Pharmacist
(and a friend of Bill Wilson)

Also: I highly recommend Al-Anon for those related to an alcoholic by blood ties or affection. http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
Find a meeting in your area and you'll see you're not alone.

2007-02-07 07:19:41 · answer #1 · answered by Rickydotcom 6 · 6 0

Yes, but much of this is related to a genetic link rather than social conditioning, even though there is no doubt some influence by just growing up around alcohol. People with the "alcoholic gene" metabolize alcohol differently - the chemical breakdown is different that those who do not have the genetic component. My brother is an alcoholic. If he takes one drink it triggers his brain, in a sense telling him to drink more and more. I am not an alcoholic and when I drink I can stop after 1 drink.

2007-02-07 07:23:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

One in four youth, or 19 million kids, is exposed to family alcoholism or alcohol abuse some time before the age of 18.


Children in families affected by alcohol often live in environ­ments that are stressful, chaotic, and frightening.

Children of alcoholics are vulnerable to mental illness and medical problems and are more likely than others to become alcoholic themselves.

2007-02-07 07:20:16 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0 1

in some cases i do believe that children that live with parents that are alcoholics will become like their parents but in many cases the children want to better than the parent. my mom is an alcoholic and none of my brothers or sisters abuse alcohol.

2007-02-07 07:17:43 · answer #4 · answered by Nocurfew313 3 · 2 0

This has not been my experience, as many of my friends had parents who outright abused alcohol. My friends rarely drink more than a few drinks a week. This article, however, paints an interesting picture....

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/1119918026.html

2007-02-07 07:39:54 · answer #5 · answered by Michael E 5 · 0 0

i comprehend that my mum and dad were both alcoholics and that i grew as a lot as be an alcoholic, which I now opt for now to not drink purely on particular activities. I used to drink well-known and not in any respect end till I exceeded out, yet i became killing my self and that i had to end. i needed to stay so i finished eating and were given help for my melancholy complications. i trust it really is as a lot because the children, how they see existence in there eyes my sisters and brother so not have eating complications. they have children and prefer to end the cycle, so as that they don't attempt this hoping for there children now to not drink. I surely have commonplace those who's mum and dad were drug consumers and a number of them do use drugs, yet a number of them have chosen to flow the different street and elevate there children in a drug loose zone and want there youthful ones are adversarial to drugs. it really is as a lot because the children and how they see existence, the more severe they see drugs as being the a lot less probably they are to apply them! in the experience that they see them as undesirable and unsafe then they likely received't do them. in the experience that they see them as interesting and harmless they could do them.

2016-11-26 00:12:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Studies have shown it is less the environment as it is heredity-like factors. Though alcoholism is not inherited, per se, there is a higher risk physiologically to become addicted to alcohol if one or both parents are alcoholic.

2007-02-07 07:21:09 · answer #7 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 0 1

yes, they are. first of all, it has been proven that there is an "addiction gene" that the parents can pass on to their children, so the kids are more susceptible to any kind of addiction. second, the parents are obviously not responsible enough themselves to teach the children how to drink responsibly. it doesn't guarantee addiction, but it makes it more likely.

2007-02-07 11:23:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Alcoholism is hereditary, just don't stress, and try not to drink at all. That will be the start of it all.

2007-02-07 09:36:51 · answer #9 · answered by Yay me!!!! 4 · 0 1

Maybe they'll grow up to be more wise then their parents

2007-02-07 07:14:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

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