View Poll Results: Were your parents alcoholics?
No
132
32.67%
Yes, my mother was an alcoholic
48
11.88%
Yes, my father was an alcoholc
132
32.67%
Yes, both my mother and father were alcoholics
79
19.55%
I don't know
13
3.22%
Voters: 404. You may not vote on this poll
Were your parents alcoholics?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: California
Posts: 101
My mom rarely drinks.
My dads drinking habits have definitely progressed over the years.
I remember when I was younger my dad would always have a couple beers after work, usually some light beer, and he would never exceed 3. This went on for most of my childhood. It wasn't until about 5 years ago when my sister was with her now ex-boyfriend. They both lived with my parents for 6 months or so and my sisters ex was an alcoholic. I honestly believed it rubbed off on my dad and their bonding time was spent drinking. Now my dad will drink 4-7 beers a night and if theres a game on or company over, he can crush a 12 pack.
I wish he would drink less, but he seems so stuck in his ways. I'm afraid a change won't be made till the doctor wakes him up with some bad news.
My dads drinking habits have definitely progressed over the years.
I remember when I was younger my dad would always have a couple beers after work, usually some light beer, and he would never exceed 3. This went on for most of my childhood. It wasn't until about 5 years ago when my sister was with her now ex-boyfriend. They both lived with my parents for 6 months or so and my sisters ex was an alcoholic. I honestly believed it rubbed off on my dad and their bonding time was spent drinking. Now my dad will drink 4-7 beers a night and if theres a game on or company over, he can crush a 12 pack.
I wish he would drink less, but he seems so stuck in his ways. I'm afraid a change won't be made till the doctor wakes him up with some bad news.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 464
My Dad is an alcoholic. My Mom a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.
It would probably be easier to say who ISNT an alcoholic in my family! It's a really sad vicious cycle
my favorite cousin died from alcoholism at 37! My brother died 3 months later at age 35 from a drug overdose.
I grew up around it. It's hard to imagine life without alcohol because it was so ingrained in me growing up. But I desperately want to break the cycle for my kids and I've seen the damage alcohol does to many people I love.
It would probably be easier to say who ISNT an alcoholic in my family! It's a really sad vicious cycle
my favorite cousin died from alcoholism at 37! My brother died 3 months later at age 35 from a drug overdose. I grew up around it. It's hard to imagine life without alcohol because it was so ingrained in me growing up. But I desperately want to break the cycle for my kids and I've seen the damage alcohol does to many people I love.
Sober since 10th April 2012
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 6,047
I'm in the don't know category. They certainly went through a phase of over-drinking several nights a week which caused a lot of heartache for us kids, but alcoholic? Hard to say.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 426
I believe my dad was an alcoholic. He committed suicide when i was 16. My maternal grandfather also had drinking problems. Lots of drinking problems on my dad's side of the family. . . And the list could go on and on . . .
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Getting to where I want to be
Posts: 502
Originally Posted by CharlieNoogan 
I tend to agree that genetics plays a significant role in the development of addiction when the right environmental and emotional factors present themselves.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: the coast
Posts: 246
Every male on my mothers side of the family is an alcoholic. My grandfather, uncle, me. I'm just praying it will skip my little cousin-don't want him to go thru the hell of alcoholism.
On my fathers side it's more spread out (and not exclusively male) but the trait it definitely there. My great Aunt has drank every night of her life since she was 20 (she's 62 now).
Unfortunately no one in my family is recovered. They've either died an alcoholic or continue to drink. Happy to break that "family tradition."
On my fathers side it's more spread out (and not exclusively male) but the trait it definitely there. My great Aunt has drank every night of her life since she was 20 (she's 62 now).
Unfortunately no one in my family is recovered. They've either died an alcoholic or continue to drink. Happy to break that "family tradition."
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 90
My dad is an active alcoholic and is beginning to suffer physical problems due to his drinking. My mother certainly drinks too much and her drinking has been a problem at times, but I don't know if I'd classify her as an alcoholic. She seems to drink in response to my father's drinking. She definitely has some mental health concerns, though she has recently started receiving treatment for those. None of my grandparents were alcoholics, though I have a number of other family members who are alcoholics, including an uncle who recently got his 35 year AA chip. :-)
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Between the Moon & the Stars
Posts: 211
Mother doesn't drink and I have never known my biological father.
The man I call Dad, who adopted me when I was 2, had a drinking problem when I was young, but quit when Mom threatened to divorce him. He drinks now but very rarely.
I am most like my mother's sister in every way. Grew up never seeing her without a drink. Died with a drink in her hand.
Two brothers who are still active alcoholics with no intention of getting sober. Two sisters and one brother who don't drink at all.
The man I call Dad, who adopted me when I was 2, had a drinking problem when I was young, but quit when Mom threatened to divorce him. He drinks now but very rarely.
I am most like my mother's sister in every way. Grew up never seeing her without a drink. Died with a drink in her hand.
Two brothers who are still active alcoholics with no intention of getting sober. Two sisters and one brother who don't drink at all.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Soberville
Posts: 38
Neither parent is an alcoholic, but both grandfathers were. My paternal grandfather was drunk when drove his car off a bridge, in the middle of winter, landed in a frozen lake and almost drown. He was in a coma for a few weeks, but never woke-up and died.
I have numerous uncles that are/were really bad. My Uncle Frank bled-out at 57. I almost never saw him sober. Nonetheless, I have alcoholism all over both sides of my extended family!
I have numerous uncles that are/were really bad. My Uncle Frank bled-out at 57. I almost never saw him sober. Nonetheless, I have alcoholism all over both sides of my extended family!
Sober from 11/19/13-1/18/14
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles CA
Posts: 177
Originally Posted by gigi0310
Why do you ask?
My father and mother were both alcoholics and i swore to never be like that. my first drink was at age 30 go figure???
My father and mother were both alcoholics and i swore to never be like that. my first drink was at age 30 go figure???
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
My parents weren't alcoholics but they were big drinkers. My dad was always very controlled and I only ever saw him drunk once, but then he was a big guy with a high tolerance. My mum however I think would have serious issues if she lived alone. I think my step dad controls her drinking. I had a maternal great uncle who died from alcoholism, that's it really.
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