2010-07-26
In ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT / Tags: Alcoholics, become, children, going /
Question by freedom: Are children of alcoholic’s going to become alcoholic’s?
I drink almost everyday, and my father died from drinking. Is it a family thing, my sister drinks a lot too but my brothers don’t.
Best answer:
Answer by Chef Orville
It depends on the family situation. If children see their parents drinking, they’re going to assume that it’s okay to drink. The parents must tell their children that it’s wrong. Or they could just not drink in front of the kids.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
22 ResponsesLeave a comment ?
It usually means that there is some predisposition to addictive behavior in your personality.
not necessarily. Are they more prone to it. yes.
I’m a child of an alcoholic and I’m a teetotaler.
Every individual has freedom of choice.
Yes, children of alcoholics are genetically predisposed to becoming alcoholics themselves. It doesn’t mean that they WILL become alcoholics, but rather, they have a higher risk factor.
well, both my grandfathers were huge alcoholics. It turned my dad away from it. he barely has some wine in his life, thats it. so as for his kids, we all dabble with the sauce. i myself have issues controlling it and trying to come up with a happy balance. but i’m still in the middle of finding it. and i’m sure at some point it will come down to going one way or the other. so really its on you and how you choose to live your life. learn from experience and mistakes of those before you. or relive/make the same mistakes that were laid out before you. its on you
I have read articles before that state daughters of alcholic fathers are more likely to become alcoholics themselves, and I’ve seen children of drinking parents grow up to never touch it. Parents set the example for children. It looks like a learned behavior to me. If the alcohol is around, and parents do not set a good example, I can surely see how children could end up as alchoholics. I am sure there are some very good websites that would answer this question as well, and do so professionally which I am not able to do. Good luck, and if you are wanting to quit, I suggest AA and seeing a therapist, would be helpful. Alcohol, especially, hard liquor is much harder on women than men, as women’s bodies cannot process the alcohol as well as men can. It will age you as well, not to mention what it will do to your liver, and added weight gain. Again, educate yourself, by reading, and hopefully you will find out the effects of alcohol. I hope I don’t sound like I’m preaching, lol I just wish you well and healthy.
It depends on your life decisions. I think that it is in the genes to easily follow a route but if you can see the damage it does with premature death leaving a family behind then i think you would nip it on the bud as soon as possible. Sooner rather than later. There are other ways to feel good. Join a gym or get a hobby
It all depends on who you are I guess.
Many children of alcoholics grow up to become alcoholics, but many don’t.
Myself for example. Both of my parents are boozers. Both grandparents on both sides are boozers and I was named after my uncle who got himself killed for drinking too much.
My sister and I both drink, but very rarely and we’re never excessive.
So I think it depends on who you are and how you grew up and where you want to end up.
I did.
Children of alcoholics are FAR more likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps than non-drinkers. However, it is NOT guaranteed (just like children of smokers don’t automatically become smokers themselves — though they ARE more likely to smoke).
If you can recognize the problem (as it seems you do), then NOW is the time to do something about it…if YOU want to change your life path.
Contact your local AA chapter and attend a meeting. Toss ALL your alcohol NOW and make a resolution to approach every day as a new day and recognize the fact that you’re only human… and you’re going to have good days and bad days. You just work toward having more good than bad.
Best of luck.
- NON-drinker of an alcoholic father
they have a higher chance of it…
Monkey see, monkey do. Kids imitate their parents. Even if they hate seeing you drink, or the things you say or do when you get drunk, they will often see drinking as an option as they grow older. YOU have to set an example for them. Actions speak louder than words, so see if you can break the cycle first.
I’ve learned and believed that it skips a generation. My husband and I both drink heavily. Our parents didn’t…but our grandfathers did. In fact, both of my grandfathers drank a lot. Our children don’t touch anything alcoholic. It might be genetics, or they learn from our example.
It’s a good possibility. I don’t think it has anything to do with heredity, but I do think overindulging is a learned behavior. It’s not inevitable that you will be an alcoholic, but since you’re currently drinking every day, it’s highly likely.
What Lex said. They may not become an alcoholic, but they could become addicted to something else – gambling, smoking, drugs, anorexia/bulimia etc….
It’s an addictive trait, a crutch they need.
most likely..if the kids are good and don’t pick up a bad influence that bad then probley not..maybe if they want to…but like 88% of kids drink cause there parents
My dads father died from alcoholism and my dad most likely will end up the same way. I, however, thought that my dad acted like a moron. Whenever he was drinking I felt like a babysitter and couldn’t stand to be around him, so I got out as soon as I could. My moms dad used to drink a lot and did stupid things, but he has been clean and sober for many years…hooray for grandpa! My mom has been drinking for as long as I can remember and has tried to quit but it never ends up sticking. I also have a rocky relationship with her because she treated me pretty badly when I was a kid and she was drunk. I drink, but I don’t drink often enough or in enough of a quantity to have a problem. One beer every once in a while. My parents couldn’t avoid the alcohol genes, but I so far have…thank god.
They’ll only be alcoholics if they admit they have a drinking problem and start going to meetings….otherwise they are just drunkards and lushes!
I am proof that they don’t have to be alcoholics.Everyone has the ability to do what they want to do.I chose sober and dealing with life one-on-one.A lot of my siblings chose beer and drugs.
YES.
Sometimes, it is in genes that pass on. I know of genes which make people compulsive drinkers.
Even if the reason is not genetic, it is social. If the kid sees from childhood that it is perfectly normal to drink in evening as his/her parents are doing it, s/he will grow up to be an ardent customer of alcohol.
But never be afraid of it. Alcohol is our worst enemy but the Bible teaches us to love our enemy.
Alcoholism is usually classified as a genetic disease. I am an alcoholic, but my parents aren’t, perhaps I’m the first in a long line, or just a blip on the map. Having a parent as an alcoholic only indicates you should be aware of the higher risk of alcoholism. There is so much research which continues to be done on alcoholism and addiction- and nothing is conclusive. If you feel you need help though, there are so many great resources, from traditional 12 step programs, to alternative ‘higher power free’ options. Glad your eyes are peeled, make wise decisions and stay focused, but don’t ever fear asking for help!
No not true…at all. You drink to forget to think…what ever, its an individual thing, when one is born the doctor does not say it’s an alcoholic!