Question by maria f: If my husband is an alcoholic, what are the chances of my kids becoming addicts?
we want to know if alcoholism/addiction can be passed on geneticly.
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Answer by sasha
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research has shown a genetic pre-disposition to the way the brain reacts to alcohol. so there is a chance, but if they are given good coping skills as children, and told of the risks as teens, they can make good choices to avoid it. it is not inevitable.
Much higher. Especially if they are subjected to it growing up.
Monkey See, Monkey Do.
They are defintaely at increased risk – either because of genetics or environment.
Studies are inconclusive about the genetic link. Their is a statistically signifigant higher rate of addiction in the children of addicts, but not enough study has been done to say that it is becasue of genetics as opposed to children copying parental behavior. However, there are some recent studies that seem to indicate that alcholics have a higher rate of certain chemical deficiencies and imbalances that would increase the effects of alcohol on them. If this is indeed the case, then those biochemical traits would be inheritable.
it varies on how close your DNA is!!
Foxfirevigil is correct… there is a genetic predisposition that is known however this can easily be eclipsed with proper education and a thorough understanding of family medical history.
yes, it can, but it’s not how you think. it’s just the personality from your husband is passed on so that you child will deal with troubles similarly, and it might not be alcoholism, it might be something else, but it’s just like depression or something like that.
Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinker’s normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. The resulting chronic use can result in many psychological and physiological disorders. Alcoholism is one of the world’s most costly drug use problems; with the exception of nicotine addiction, alcoholism is more costly to most countries than all other drug use problems combined.
The biological mechanism of alcoholism is unknown. While alcohol use is required to trigger alcoholism, the majority of the population can drink alcoholic beverages with no danger of suffering from it. One of several other factors must exist for alcohol use to develop into alcoholism. These factors may include a person’s social environment, emotional health and genetic predisposition. An alcoholic can develop several forms of addiction to alcohol simultaneously (psychological, metabolic, and neurochemical) and they all must be treated in order to effectively treat the condition.
Your missing the main thing here. Get rid of the hubby, Give your kids the best bringing up that u can
i can tell u from my experience i grew up with a alcoholic dad,4 sisters 1 brother they all drink, 2 of them are alcoholics today, and me i never drank, but i did get his addiction, and i did drugs for half my life and I’m 46, what a waste uh! kids do do what they see. good luck to ya
Yes.I know this because my dad was an alcoholic.My brother and sister are and I had to realize that I was going to be if I didn’t stop before it was too late. The children have a built up tolerance to it brought on by one or both parents being able to drink a lot.
I had once heard that there was a 50 percent chance your kids would become alcoholic too. I don’t know if that is because it’s a learned behavior or a genetic disposition. Sometimes you have children who just hate the thought of ever drinking and don’t and you have another that turns out to be just like daddy. I don’t know. You should really ask the people from AA. I’m sure they have support groups for FAMILIES and you should go. The problem is his but it affects you all and YOU all need the help so you can move forward with your lives and learn to cope with his behaviour but not make it affect you. Maybe they will empower you to do something…move out and move on. If someone won’t quit why stay with them?
From personal experience I can tell you that I have the misfortune of having lived next door to TWO alcoholic families…both kids drank even when their father passed on…then the one son died at 33 from complications of mixing booze and pain killers…the family next door currently, the father is a stinking filthy alcoholic…often find him in the ditch and stuff…the kids for now seem ok but they are heavy drinkers too. The mother is a nurse, yet she puts up with that. I guess some stick it out till the bitter end no matter what.
No it is not genetic, but the conduct and acceptance are different matters. If they have accepted his behavior in repeated incidents, then they begin to condone such as being within normal limits. Addiction to any substance come in phases, observation where we see others doing it, then experimentation when the substance is tried and finally addiction. It seems that you have already passed stage one and when the children are old enough, the experimentation will begin. To break the cycle, you have to use tough measures….some community agencies may help and certain AA will be cheerful to join your effort to prevent it.
I will not go into the many studies that have been done on the subject but from personal experience and observation I’ve discovered that unfortunately there is a very high percentage of probability that your children will develop an addiction to alcohol or another destructive substance. There are things you can do to reduce the probability,though. Consult an alcoholism counselor and go to AA and Alanon meetings for support and guidance.
Alcoholism is inherited physically; so there is a chance there. However, alcoholism can also be inherited on an emotional level. The roller coaster life and mood swings of an alcoholic can be addictive to those that live with the alcoholic. My advise is to not to have your children grow up in this environment.
50 50
They definitely have a higher chance.
Your husband needs to get help. Kids shouldn’t be around that.
yes there is a very good chance not only from gentics but also from watching him. It’s a part of their everyday life.
If it’s any consolation, our father was an alcoholic, but neither my sister nor I is an alcoholic. She drinks very few alcoholic beverages (an occasional beer or glass or wine) and I don’t drink them at all, because to me they taste like medicine! I like things that taste good!
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