 |
| FAQ/Help |
| Calendar |
| Search |
|
Member
Member Since Jan 2011
Posts: 28
13 |
Jan 07, 2011 at 04:23 PM
#1
How common is it for adult children of alcoholics to become alcoholics themselves? Is it more prevalent if both parents were alcoholics?
|
|
 Reply With Quote
|
|
Legendary
Member Since Feb 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 19,686
(SuperPoster!)
18 2,039 hugs
given |
Jan 07, 2011 at 05:50 PM
#2
Since alcoholism is partly genetic, but also partly environmental -- I'd assume that at least some of the people who are ACOA's are also alcoholics. I stopped drinking so I wouldn't become an alcoholic myself because of my family history.
__________________ 
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
Elder
Member Since Nov 2008
Location: Sunny East Coast Florida!
Posts: 6,873
15 542 hugs
given |
Jan 07, 2011 at 08:16 PM
#3
i made a point of educating my son re alcoholism when i got sober. then told him the choice was his to make. he drinks occasinally as does his wife who is also ACOA. they don't overindulge because they know the risks.
there is a corelation of alcoholism in ppl who had alcoholic parents. but the person doesn't have to repeat history. there seems to be a genetic link that can be passed on. the odds of the child becoming alcoholic doubles if both parents are alcoholics but that occurs possibly/probably if the child abuses alcohol too. if the child doesn't abuse the drink and if they do drink to drink responsibly, then bad things don't happen. __________________ Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours..~Ayn Rand |
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
Elder
Member Since Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,543
13 189 hugs
given |
Jan 08, 2011 at 03:51 PM
#4
I swore to God I wouldn't become like my parents, who were both alcoholics. Well, guess what? I became an alcoholic anyway.
 I drank heavily for 20 years until I'd had enough. I've been sober for 17 years. Naturally I counseled my kids - even when I was drinking - and I told them to NEVER become like me - to always use caution with alcohol because it's heriditary and my folks AND grandparents were alcoholics. Well, my son is an alcoholic, but thankfully my daughter is not.I have 3 sisters and none of them drink -- I was the only one.  But I was always the "rebel" in the bunch. LOL Hugs, Lee
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
Magnate
Member Since Jan 2010
Location: Where the mountain meets the city
Posts: 2,193
14 12 hugs
given |
Jan 08, 2011 at 03:57 PM
#5
I'm not sure about the statistics. I had alcoholic parents but did not end up with problems with alcohol. I just have other major issues but addiction is not one of them. Maybe genetics plays a role.
__________________ Keep this in mind, that you are important. |
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
| Reply |
This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
|
My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.
Linear Mode
