60andbeyond

I was just thinking of how genetics play a role in alcoholism and realized for the first time that I've lost quite a few family members to the disease. That I know of, I've lost my grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt and brother to alcoholism. Does anyone out there have a similar background?

Extra interesting to me - my parents never drank knowing our family history.. yet my brother and I both ended up alcoholics.

Grungehead

I lost both of my grandfathers to alcoholism. One passed before I was born and the other when I was 10. I've also lost a couple of uncles on my mother's side to alcoholism. Both of my parents are normies, my sister has had some minor issues with alcohol but seems to be able to put the plug in the jug if/when things start to go sideways, and then there is me.

itstheone

Well, I lost my wife and kids from alcoholism, but not by death. Does that count?

Dee74

There's instances on both sides of my family where people have died by their own hand - if not directly from alcoholism, through the despair that alcohol brings.

So far my generation seems to be doing well - either beating alcohol addiction, or never developing a problem

D

Kevin78

There is a history on my Dads side. I lost my Dad in April 2013, Aged 58. . My Grandfather managed to stop drinking. He was told he would die if he drank again. I want to end the trend now.

Soberwolf

I have 3 uncles that i never got to meet 2 on my mothers side 1 of my fathers side

1 died heroin overdose 1 died by choking on his own vomit and the other died outside in the cold from hypothermia due to sleeping drunk outside

This bothered me growing up as i heard so many stories but never got to meet my uncles i have others but that always bothered me

Esspee

Nobody I am aware of has died but my mother was telling me that my paternal great grandfather was an alcoholic, my grandfather (as a result) was anti-drink and wouldn't set foot in a pub and my father was an alcoholic.

GracieLou

I lost my brother and the father of my children from alcoholism.

My maternal grandparents were both alcoholics. My grandfather died from cancer. My grandmother from cirrhosis of the liver but I never met her. She died before I was born. Some of my cousins are alcoholics. My daughter is an alcoholic and my son is addicted to pot.

My mother is not an alcoholic but she is a narcissist. The father that raised me is not an alcoholic but there is something wrong with him, not sure what. I don't speak to either of them.

I believe my biological father was an alcoholic and many of his other children are alcoholics/addicts.

It is a cycle in my family. I am the first, that I know of, to get and remain sober.

trachemys

My uncle, mother's side, drank himself to death.

Marcher13

60andbeyond, yes there are some in previous generations (not the last two) of my family who died from alcoholism and I think that's the case for many families.

Yet I wonder how much genetics influence things: my mother's father died of a stroke at 51, her mother died of breast cancer at 62 -- Mum will be 90 next year.

ArtFriend

My dad died from alcohol age at age 45. My brother is at death's door from alcohol age 61. My sister was a drug user who contracted AIDS through a needle. That would have killed her but she died on 9/11 age 54. Cousin died of alcoholism age 50. Many cousins, aunts, uncles are addicted on both sides.

Thepatman

My mother's side, including her all died from Alcohol related decease.

I'm breaking the cycle of devastation, to protect my son if I can.

LBrain

grandparents on both sides, I never knew grandparents

leviathan

mother at 43. she turned bright yellow first. my stepfather helped me soothe my pain in the hospital parking lot with a pint of Jack (i was 15).

at 44 i found myself in rehab. -coulda been worse.

courage2

Both of my father's brothers. Several cousins. My grandfather was an alcoholic/addict who almost didn't come out of a coma, but he got sober before he died.

Cascabel

Brother, mother, one grandfather, one grandmother, several uncles and one aunt. I was told a propensity to drink ran in the family. If I am any kind of example, they were right. And, if the alcohol didn't get them first then cigarettes did.

Gottalife

Yes. I lost my mother to alcoholism about 30 years ago. She is still alive though, but only because God doesn't want the aggravation.

strategery

While my parents never drank, alcoholism runs strong on one side of my family. While I have one family member that is an alcoholic, he has drank for 40+ years and is still alive.

Bailey3

My father, two uncles and, a cousin.

PurpleKnight

My dad died a few years back due to alcohol!!