Susan2984

Kind of an obvious question but does it "run" in your family? My mom's brother died at his own hand in a drunk driving accident when he was 31. He had been abusing drugs and alcohol for years, since he was a teen. My mom's Uncle is a "recovered" alcoholic and has been sober for about 30 years now but had a rough time before that. Again on my mom's side her great grandfather (her dad's dad) was a lifelong "funtioning" alcoholic. My father's side of the family is extremely conservative and religious and do not drink. I remember when we were younger, teen and college age, my mom warning us to be careful when we drink because we have the "genes" for alcoholism. That being said my "tolerance" was always higher even when I was younger and only drank on occasion and socially. This is only my second post, and like I said, I have been "Wine free" for only 3 days, shooting for at least 30, and my drinking was becoming a definite habit and questionable. It helps me to be honest with myself to think that if I let it go, a couple of glasses of wine a night will be a bottle of hard liquor a night in ten years, and then I could follow my uncle's fate. Anyway, just kinda thinking out loud with this post. I don't think anyone in my family suspects that I drink so much. It's common for us to have wine with dinner or a couple beers during a football game, or a cocktail if we go out. Even in those situations I never feel the need to overindulge, it's only when I'm home alone at night that those feelings occur. Anyway, I'm rambling, but sometimes thinking hard about the patterns of others help you be honest about yours as well.

least

As far as I know I'm the first and only alcoholic in my family - both sides.

soberclover

Where is the alcoholism in my family...........everywhere.........

robgt350

susan i wondered if alcoholism is genetic or environmental influenced.
there were several alcoholics in my family line and most of them died cause of it. but i chose to drink more than that 2 beers during the boxing match or football game. i choose to drink irresponsibility. but thank god i do not do it now.

lorelei

just me in mine

Susan2984

Yea I'm not saying I think that alcoholism is necessarily genetic or something that you can't help etc, it's definitely a choice to drink, in the beginning anyway. As a former sociology major I tend to value nurture over nature so I would vote environmental factors are usually stronger, just was doing some thinking and musing/remembering that my mom often told the stories of my uncle as cautionary tales because it was technically "in our blood" (none of my other "close" family members are alcoholics - parents siblings etc). Not sure if it had actual truth to it or was a way to scare us into being careful

Yankee73

Hi Susan
Congrats on Day 3
Both sides in my family. They even made the stuff in the basement during Prohibition. I imagine it was spectacular bathtub vodka.

I was a serious wine drinker, I tried to have "one or two" which quickly turned into "one or two bottles". I was drinking anything and as much as I could get my hands on. Ripping apart a box of wine to get the last sip out. I gave up on bottles at that point because I was going for quantity.

I always drank alone. At night. Then my nights started at noon. Then wine replaced morning coffee (gag). I have only been sober for 4 months, but I have realized that there is just so much more I can do with my time than spend it drinking.

Feel free to message me any time if you need support or an ear

FBL

My dad's side of the family is full of drunks. My mom's side has none. I guess I take after dad

Serenity1972

Yes there were alcoholics in my family (my Dad's side). My father's mother was an closet drunk and my father was a HF drunk (both no longer with us). I have always been around alcohol my entire life. I had seen what it did to people and I vowed at an early age I would never turn out like them...well little did I know that I was the next in line. Sure, I had a few drinks here and there in my 20's, but I didn't become a full blown alcoholic until I was 32 when my mother passed away (bless her soul). It took me a good 8 years to finally realize that I had become that person that I vowed to never become. The reality was a sure slap in the face.

LuLu13

Both sides of my family are full of alcoholics, most deceased now.

GracieLou

Yes, I think I am the only one alive.

longbeachone

Grandfather's on both sides, mom high functioning. That's all I know about (it's enough).

ChefWolverine

More like who isnt an alcoholic in my family.

1undone

I believe if you look enough and deeply into your family history you will find them. I think everyone has or has has a relative who drank wayyyyy to much.



JMHO...

Hevyn

None that I know of on either side - but most of the men in the family died rather young. Probably no one's going to tell the truth about the circumstances if alcoholism was involved, knowing my family.

courage2

Dad's side: Grandfather, father & 2/3 of his siblings, most if not all his cousins on his father's side.

Mom's side: Hard to say, except for one of her sisters who definitely is.

JustODAAT

Yes many, but only 2 admit it (me and one other).

LDT

Just me, myself, and I. No one else on either side.

hiho

One side is full of alcoholics.
As a biochemist, I'm a believer in 'nature'.
Having said that, we get to choose how to play the hand that we're dealt.

I wish you the best.
If your family has a history, don't even light the match. I didn't realise until too late, and now the house is burning down.

PhaseTwo

Yes there are a few on both sides for me. My parents are normal drinkers but aunts, uncles, grandparents are definitely not