Is it true that if a person is an alcoholic or once was an alcoholic their child will therefore pass through that stage in life.. because i was ahving an arguement with my mate over that..
i don't think it's true, as i think you develope a "love" for alcohol and you're not born to be an alcoholic..
Please answer...
2007-02-07 09:01:48 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
There is a current medical theory that says you can have a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism, but the gene is part of the physical make-up of one or both parents that is given to the child..
It is not caused by the habits of either parents.
Many people can drink a large quantity of alcohol, yet do not become alcoholics, by definition, so the suggested predisposition does not mean that the child will grow up to become an alcoholic, it just means there may be an above-average chance that the child would be prone to developing alcoholism IF he/she overconsumed alcohol later in life.
There is a second part that concerns doctors and that is having a child that is borne from a woman who has been drinking during the pregnancy, particularly if she has been drinking excessively, as that can do serious harm to the fetus.
2007-02-07 09:12:19 · answer #1 · answered by Ef Ervescence 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the genetic component of alcohol is true, but sometimes genes skip generations and your child doesn't always get it. The gene for alcohol has to do with hangovers. Normal people have a gene that makes hangovers awful, and some alcoholics lack this gene, making hangovers more tolerable, and in return they dont have noticable negative consequences from drinking. A child of a parent with alcoholic tendencies has a higher chance of becoming an alcoholic than the general population, but they will not definately go down that path.
2007-02-07 09:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by Lolly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is some evidence that alcoholism runs in families. Children of alcoholics are far more likely to have alcohol problems later in life.
It is not clear, however, whether this is a genetic thing or this is learned behaviour in coming from a background in which alcohol plays an over-important part.
Many theories suggest that genes set the parameters for behaviour, while environment decides the position within those parameters. It may be that there is a gene which confers a propensity towards alcoholism, and that environmental factors determine whether that develops into a problem.
2007-02-07 09:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can have a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, a weaker resistance to certain addictions. But you're not doomed to follow your genes. And it won't make you like the taste more, it'll just mean you get addicted more easily should you choose to drink.
I have that in my family, and it seems common among Irish American and Native American populations (Irish people hate when I say that).
The reason most alcoholics have alcoholic children however is nurture, not nature. They observe and copy. Or sometimes things in their life drive them that way.
Even so, you can resist anything in your upbringing, but I think some people really should have their children taken away from them.
I don't think recognising the source of your weaknesses is a blame game. It's just awareness, and it helps you deal with things.
2007-02-08 02:30:35 · answer #4 · answered by dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My ex's father was an alcoholic and sure enough he went on to be the same. He witnessed as a young child, his father coming home drunk and hitting his mother and therefore grew up to do exactly the same as he seemed to know no different. He certainly doesn't respect women and that's why i left as his drinking and attitude was too much. I think it depends on individual circumstances and sometimes the excuse that their parents were alcoholics is a cop out
2007-02-07 09:13:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's automatic but I am sure there is an addictive gene which may make you more likely to become an alcoholic if a parent was.
There is also the role model/ learned habit element to consider too.
2007-02-07 09:06:57 · answer #6 · answered by annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my dad was an alcoholic, i have no desire for alcohol.. i do drink but i dont care much for it as i know full well what it can do for people. However, my brother went through a stage and still would now given the chance of drinking as much as poss and im sure when he turns 18 will deff go through a stage of drinking loads.....
2007-02-07 09:32:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can have a genetic predisposition towards addiction but it is triggered by lifestyle, if you never drink or only very occasionally drink you are not going to develop alcoholism.
2007-02-08 23:13:57 · answer #8 · answered by Ellie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right. Each person will have a different feeling towards alcahol, irrespective of what their ancestors did. Some people can't control it, some can. It must be terrible to be really hooked on it. Some of us are lucky and can stop, others can't. Hope you don't get caught by it or any other drug. Good luck!
2007-02-11 00:19:10 · answer #9 · answered by R.E.M.E. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turning this on its head, it certainly doesn't guarantee that a child of non alcoholic parents won't be alcoholic.
Therefore I think it must work both ways
2007-02-09 04:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by Happy Hobbit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋