I have a question about alcoholism/general addiction…?
September 7th, 2010
I’m 19 years old, 5’10″ and very slender. Last night I drank 1 1/2 cups of pure rum (the bottle said it was 40% proof). I wasn’t looking to get plastered, but based on my body mass (and the fact that I can count the number of times I’ve drank on one hand…and never more than a glass of wine) that should have given me at least a little buzz, right?
I was trying to see how much I can drink and it not effect me. Not that I would ever try to drink and drive or anything like that. But, what I drank last night made no difference. I was with a friend and she said that she also noticed no difference in my behaviour or demeanour.
Is alcoholism hereditary? Looking at my family, it would seem so. On my dad’s side of the family, every single man is or was an alcoholic…a few (my dad and uncle) were/are also drug addicts. It’s how my dad died. On my mom’s side, though, there’s none. My mother says that I have an addictive personality and I know that when it comes to alcohol I need to be careful but, well, do you see where I’m coming from here? It kind of worries me that what I drank last night seemed to have no effect on me. That’s how my dad was…it took a lot to get him drunk, but he always seemed to manage it. But he had been drinking since he was 12. By the time I came along, he was an experienced drinker…more use to it, so it would obviously take him more. I never drink though.
yea,,wierd
just stay away from the booze. You will have a much better life if you do.
Yes alcoholism is hereditary. Just be careful and know your limits. A few drinks once in a while won’t be the end of the world. Just remember not to go off the deep end.
thats terrible! so sorry that has happened to you. However alocholism teticallny is not hereditary, like your mom said its and addictive personality, only you cant make/take the steps to being an alcoholic.
Your family may have impacted your decisions to be that way however only you can become one. So im glad to see you makes smart decisions with your drinking, but just remember that your decisions make you who you are.
Alcoholism can be hereditary but it would be more appropriate to say that the tendency for addiction is – it doesn’t have to be alcohol, it can be something else that provides the ‘buzz’ of false comfort. There are some people who are not as affected by alcohol as others but I suggest that you refocus your attention. You seem to desire to test your boundaries and that can be dangerous. Although the heredity is there doesn’t mean it has to happen to you – both my parents were what I would call addictive, both heavy smokers and both heavy drinkers – and I don’t drink or smoke. Granted I like chocolate a little too much but it’s not nearly as dangerous except to my waistline. Don’t push your luck, don’t test yourself – you are not your parents, you are your own person and you can be who and what you desire to be – and it doesn’t have to be anything you don’t want it to be.
I agree with the posts that have mentioned addictive behavior to be hereditary. I had always stayed away from alcohol until I was about 21. When I hit that age I started throwing parties, when my parents found out my father informed me he had a problem with alcoholism when he was younger. He also told me of a large part of my family that also had become alcoholics. I paid no heed, thinking that because I hadn’t had a problem before I wouldn’t have a problem in the future. I could drink a lot more than the normal person and felt that was a good sign that I could handle it better than he could. When I did drink I rarely was too out of control and never had hangovers. Again, leading me to believe I was not able to be a true “alcoholic”. However as the next few years progressed, I enjoyed the party lifestyle and decided to pursue that over anything else in my life. This led to some issues and eventually I ended up having to admit that I was an alcoholic and went to AA.
Now you are you’re own person, but I wouldn’t underestimate the influences from your family and any genetic make-up that could cause addictive behavior. Addictions always start with a false sense of security and generally with a “that wouldn’t happen to me” mentality. It’s good that you’re asking these questions now when you’re young. I believe if you keep the attitude that it could happen to you and set up appropriate boundaries you will be able to overcome you’re families past.
Best wishes,
Jim