NationStates Jolt Archive

Are these well, not quite genetic, but generally perpetuated through generations?

I was talking to my bf the other day and he was talking about how his mom left home when she was young because her parents were abusive and alcoholics, my bf's dad used to beat him and is more or less an alcoholic (it seems that way anyways) even my bf drinks a fair bit, though it seeems he has it under control.

This concerns me a bit.

Father - Drunk, abusive
Son - Abuse turns him onto alcohol. Alcohol makes him abusive
Son's son - " "
Son's son's son - " "

I can see how that would work.

I think it could be genetic...maybe.

My father was a blazing, abusive alcoholic asshole, but he wasn't around for the vast majority my life before he died. I still turned out to be an alcoholic, even without him around.

I've been sober for about a year now. *knocks on wood*

Are these well, not quite genetic, but generally perpetuated through generations?

I was talking to my bf the other day and he was talking about how his mom left home when she was young because her parents were abusive and alcoholics, my bf's dad used to beat him and is more or less an alcoholic (it seems that way anyways) even my bf drinks a fair bit, though it seeems he has it under control.

This concerns me a bit.

He has the genetic predisposition bigtime. If one parent is an alcoholic, you're 50% more likely to be one yourself. And it can skip generations. No alcoholics in the family, except several generations back, and then, wham, some random child has the genetics/brain chemistry that guarantees it.

When you say a "fair bit" I don't know how much you're talking about or how often, so I couldn't presume to even guess if there is a potential future problem.

I think it could be genetic...maybe.

My father was a blazing, abusive alcoholic asshole, but he wasn't around for the vast majority my life before he died. I still turned out to be an alcoholic, even without him around.

I've been sober for about a year now. *knocks on wood*

More congrats to you Tex! I love hearing you say that! :fluffle:

More congrats to you Tex! I love hearing you say that! :fluffle:
:)

The real test comes Wednesday. I *hate* flying on big jets and used to have to have a drink or two before even stepping foot on a plane. :eek:

He has the genetic predisposition bigtime. If one parent is an alcoholic, you're 50% more likely to be one yourself. And it can skip generations. No alcoholics in the family, except several generations back, and then, wham, some random child has the genetics/brain chemistry that guarantees it.

When you say a "fair bit" I don't know how much you're talking about or how often, so I couldn't presume to even guess if there is a potential future problem.
He's got alcoholics on both sides of the family. His mom doesn't drink too much though. She has like a beer or two some nights. His dad has about 6-10 every night.
My bf goes through about 6 or so a night on weekends (i.e. in a social context) and from what he tells me (I'm not always around) sometimes none but up to like, 3 on his own. He was in rehab twice for booze though before I met him... He wasn't so good with it when I met him, he would go through a 24 in an evening... but then I also met him shortly after his brother died so circumstances were a bit different.
I dunno.

I think it could be genetic...maybe.

My father was a blazing, abusive alcoholic asshole, but he wasn't around for the vast majority my life before he died. I still turned out to be an alcoholic, even without him around.

I've been sober for about a year now. *knocks on wood*
Congratulations. :) (on the sobriety...)

He's got alcoholics on both sides of the family. His mom doesn't drink too much though. She has like a beer or two some nights. His dad has about 6-10 every night.
My bf goes through about 6 or so a night on weekends (i.e. in a social context) and from what he tells me (I'm not always around) sometimes none but up to like, 3 on his own. He was in rehab twice for booze though before I met him... He wasn't so good with it when I met him, he would go through a 24 in an evening... but then I also met him shortly after his brother died so circumstances were a bit different.
I dunno.

I drank as much as your bf when I was at university and never had any trouble with it. I think it just depends on the type of person you are when drunk.

He's got alcoholics on both sides of the family. His mom doesn't drink too much though. She has like a beer or two some nights. His dad has about 6-10 every night.
My bf goes through about 6 or so a night on weekends (i.e. in a social context) and from what he tells me (I'm not always around) sometimes none but up to like, 3 on his own. He was in rehab twice for booze though before I met him... He wasn't so good with it when I met him, he would go through a 24 in an evening... but then I also met him shortly after his brother died so circumstances were a bit different.
I dunno.

Everything you said points to him being an alcoholic. People don't go to rehab unless there is a problem. Twenty four in an evening under any circumstances is a HUGE sign! This is a guy who needs to quit completely, or he's going to go down hill and bring you with him. I can confidently bet my life that he's an alcoholic and needs to stop NOW before more damage is done to his body, his life, all of it. My guess is he is in no hurry to quit and doesn't think he has a problem. He does.

I really do know what I'm talking about, by the way. This is not just random advice from an observer.

I drank as much as your bf when I was at university and never had any trouble with it. I think it just depends on the type of person you are when drunk.

You're a rare exception. It depends on genetics and brain chemistry; not the way you behave drunk. If you drink a shitload but are pleasant....(pretty damned unlikely after a certain point), it doesn't matter. You'll kill your body and I've seen people die from alcoholism. Ruptured throat... they couldn't control the bleeding. One day I'm talking to him, two weeks later he's dead.

Everything you said points to him being an alcoholic. People don't go to rehab unless there is a problem. Twenty four in an evening under any circumstances is a HUGE sign! This is a guy who needs to quit completely, or he's going to go down hill and bring you with him. I can confidently bet my life that he's an alcoholic and needs to stop NOW before more damage is done to his body, his life, all of it. My guess is he is in no hurry to quit and doesn't think he has a problem. He does.

I really do know what I'm talking about, by the way. This is not just random advice from an observer.
He doesn't consume 24 in an evening anymore. This was like 2 years ago.
Now he stays off the hard stuff and generally maxes out at 6.

He also went to rehab more than 2 years ago (some time in highschool, I believe) he doesn't seem to be going downhill at all... he seems to be getting better with things and has many days when he doesn't drink at all.

But then I don't really know much. Or for that matter, know what to do even if it is a problem...

He doesn't consume 24 in an evening anymore. This was like 2 years ago.
Now he stays off the hard stuff and generally maxes out at 6.

He also went to rehab more than 2 years ago (some time in highschool, I believe) he doesn't seem to be going downhill at all... he seems to be getting better with things and has many days when he doesn't drink at all.

But then I don't really know much. Or for that matter, know what to do even if it is a problem...

If it is a problem, only he can make the decision to get treatment. Being forced into treatment doesn't work. Most alcoholics/addicts have to go through rehab several times before they get sober. You can't force someone to admit they have a problem, and usually they don't see it until something drastic happens.

Hell, I used to drink like that! In college I went out to the bars 6 nights a week. I can't say it didn't hurt me.

When you say 6, do you mean 6 a night?

I think it could be genetic...maybe.

My father was a blazing, abusive alcoholic asshole, but he wasn't around for the vast majority my life before he died. I still turned out to be an alcoholic, even without him around.

I've been sober for about a year now. *knocks on wood*
Good for you. :)


Both sides of my family were at one point, a long time ago, fairly wealthy. And the money from both dissapeared down alcoholism and gambling....long before my parents met. So I suppose I'm more likely that most be be an alcoholic.


Although I suppose it could just have been the excesses of money....

When you say 6, do you mean 6 a night?
When he's with his friends, which is usually only on weekends.

On his own, he has some nights where there are non drinks and some where he has a smaller number of them.

Good for you. :)


Both sides of my family were at one point, a long time ago, fairly wealthy. And the money from both dissapeared down alcoholism and gambling....long before my parents met. So I suppose I'm more likely that most be be an alcoholic.


Although I suppose it could just have been the excesses of money....

Statistically, yes. The money has nothing to do with it. It IS genetic. If you don't turn out to be an alcoholic, you're a hell of a statistical anomaly!! ;)

Statistically, yes. The money has nothing to do with it. It IS genetic. If you don't turn out to be an alcoholic, you're a hell of a statistical anomaly!! ;)
Well, I'll let you know in 20 years :p

My maternal grandfather & uncle were both alcoholics & both are dead now (related to the alcoholism). I used to drink quite heavily up until my mid to late 20s & mum was always worried that I would become an alcoholic too. Now I probably only drink one or two days a fortnight. I think it's just because I'm getting older. Going out & getting pissed is no longer the sole focus of my social group, the way it used to be when we were 20.

My father is an alcoholic and my mom is a drug addict (mom's been sober for almost a year now, and I couldn't be prouder). I am not an abuser of drugs or alcohol, though I wager statistically I stand a high chance of becoming one. One more reason for me not to drink or do drugs-don't get me wrong, this is just a personal choice-what others do to thier own bodies is their business...i just hope they are informed of the consequences:P