Is Alcoholism hereditary?

My mom and dad were alcoholics. Plus my mom drank while pregnant.

I've always wondered about that kind of influence on my mental health.

Plus my dad took her to Cuba for an abortion. Both very unhappy about the fetus (me)

Mom said no. They married. Unhappily. He was clean and sober at the time.

He started drinking. Bet $25,000($200,000) by today's money. Lost it at Greyhound dog track. It was the payroll for his business
All this drama while my mom was drinking and smoking and pregnant at the time.

She divorced him and dropped me off at my grandparents.

I think this could have effected my brain development.

What do you think? Possible???

Most definitely your mom drinking while pregnant could have effected your brain development.

Also situational problems in the home has been proven to effect brain development in children.

I think in my case I have the gene for alcoholism. I am 100% sure of it. If I had never drank then I would not have become and alcoholic.

So I think it definitely effected your brain development in a number of ways. the good news is that brains are "plastic" and can heal and grow new connections. rewire itself literally but it takes a lot of work.

I agree that the propensity for alcoholism is inherited. Whether or not it is triggered another matter.

You probably have been affected by your mother's drinking but your writings would indicate to me mildly. Some of the ways you might have been affected include things like spontenaity, irritability, patience, and responsibility. But again, your post suggests to me you have thought it out and don't point to that.

I am really quite saddened by the story of your parents. How unfair to you. I hope that you have found yourself in a good pleace despite it.

You are very worth it.

Thanks RCat.
I've got lots I'm working on for example, when my Dad was on the wagon I could see him.

When he was drinking he would hit on me and not leave me alone. My boyfriend and I couldn't have him as a house guest.
Then he came back one time with a hit man. When I prevented him from coming for me ( I ran out the side door to an alley and adjacent duplex). Then they went to the handball court where later I was told about shots fired at my then boyfriend.

I absolutely believe alcoholism/addiction runs in families. Both my parents were alcoholics, my uncle and great uncle were, and so am I. My sister is hooked on prescription drugs, and I'm even worried about a couple of my kids having drinking problems. Unfortunately, my husband's side of the family is even worse...he's the only one who doesn't have a problem.

We also have bipolar on both sides of our family, although I'm the only one on my side who's been diagnosed. So far only one of the kids seems to have it, and he's undiagnosed. I hope he gets help for it one of these days. I keep telling him that I f---ed up everything for 30 years so he didn't have to. But like all young adults, he must find his own way.

Yes. There have been several papers done showing that children of addicts are prone to addiction themselves. For example, a parent may be an alcoholic, and you may have an addiction to gambling.
I am the child of an alcoholic with an alcoholic sister & brother.
Remember addictive behaviours include sex addiction, shopping, gambling, eating, caffeine, shoplifting and others

I was addicted to pain killers (opioids ) most of my life.

My last episode was when I weaned off of them and the Pdoc meds Valium and adderal.
I was ip 5 times last year and had extensive ECT. I was a mess.