Is it true that alcoholism skips a generation?

Answer 1

While a predisposition to alcoholism may be genetic (this has not yet been scientifically proven but it has been suggested), it definitely does not skip a generation. My grandfather was an alcoholic and I have plenty of relatives in every generation who are as well. (I come from a large family). I also have many other relatives who aren't. If you are worried about it running in your family, just watch what you drink, either only drink occasionally, in moderation, or don't drink at all. Whether there is a genetic link or not, it is your own behavior that will ultimately determine whether you follow that path.

Answer 2

I'd imagine you're asking this question from a genetic perspective, but there is no evidence that alcoholism is a genetically transmitted disease.

It may appear to "skip" a generation based on social factors, not biological factors.

Consider this:

A father has a drinking problem which leads to abuse of his wife, witnessed by their daughter. The daughter develops an anti-alcohol stance, and avoids it, seeing it as dangerous, and she warns her own children about it, perhaps even overbearingly so. But her son, having been constantly warned of the dangers of alcohol, may be more inclined to experiment at a younger age, and thus more likely to develop a tendancy toward alcoholism as he gets older.

In this example, alcoholism has "skipped" a generation, but genetics had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Answer 3

baldness skips a generation as far as i remember,

but alcoholism, in terms of percentages and probabilities (i know nothing of any genetic evidence though it's beside the point here) is much much more likely in children of alcoholics than non-alcoholics ----- so it is more likely that a child of an alcoholic will become one than the child of a non-alcoholic

(if we are considering a case where a grandmother (for instance) was an alcoholic and her son or daughter was not -- and the grandson/daughter is in question, then the grandson is less likely than her son to become an alcoholic)

but there is no clear data on actual causes of alcoholism, only percentages and liklihoods, but all that goes out the window when you actually confront the disease

Answer 4

No - children of alcoholics have a 50-50 chance of becoming alcoholics themselves.

Answer 5

No, often alcoholism carries over in all generations.

Answer 6

Nope. My grandfather was an alcoholic and his son (my uncle) is an alcoholic and addict and his daughter (my mother) is an addict too.

Answer 7

not at all alcholism is on both sides of my family and im only 16 and as of now im kinda of addicted so im trying to stop after seeing wht it does to both parents u kinda get scared

Answer 8

NO. In my family my mom's mom was one, my dad was one, I am one and a nephew is one.

Answer 9

I doubt it. I know too many of them.

Answer 10

No, there is no truth to that.