If you are among the millions of people in this country who have a parent, grandparent, or other close relative with alcoholism, you may have wondered what your family's history of alcoholism means for you. Are problems with alcohol a part of your future? Is your risk for becoming an alcoholic greater than for people who do not have a family history of alcoholism? If so, what can you do to lower your risk?
Many scientific studies, including research conducted among twins and children of alcoholics, have shown that genetic factors influence alcoholism. These findings show that children of alcoholics are about four times more likely than the general population to develop alcohol problems. Children of alcoholics also have a higher risk for many other behavioral and emotional problems. But alcoholism is not determined only by the genes you inherit from your parents. In fact, more than one–half of all children of alcoholics do not become alcoholic. Research shows that many factors influence your risk of developing alcoholism. Some factors raise the risk while others lower it.
Genes are not the only things children inherit from their parents. How parents act and how they treat each other and their children has an influence on children growing up in the family. These aspects of family life also affect the risk for alcoholism. Researchers believe a person's risk increases if he or she is in a family with the following difficulties:
- an alcoholic parent is depressed or has other psychological problems;
- both parents abuse alcohol and other drugs;
- the parents' alcohol abuse is severe; and
- conflicts lead to aggression and violence in the family.
The good news is that many children of alcoholics from even the most troubled families do not develop drinking problems. Just as a family history of alcoholism does not guarantee that you will become an alcoholic, neither does growing up in a very troubled household with alcoholic parents. Just because alcoholism tends to run in families does not mean that a child of an alcoholic parent will automatically become an alcoholic too. The risk is higher but it does not have to happen.
If you are worried that your family's history of alcohol problems or your troubled family life puts you at risk for becoming alcoholic, here is some common–sense advice to help you:
Avoid underage drinking—First, underage drinking is illegal. Second, research shows that the risk for alcoholism is higher among people who begin to drink at an early age, perhaps as a result of both environmental and genetic factors.
Drink moderately as an adult—Even if they do not have a family history of alcoholism, adults who choose to drink alcohol should do so in moderation—no more than one drink a day for most women, and no more than two drinks a day for most men, according to guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some people should not drink at all, including women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant, recovering alcoholics, people who plan to drive or engage in other activities that require attention or skill, people taking certain medications, and people with certain medical conditions.
People with a family history of alcoholism, who have a higher risk for becoming dependent on alcohol, should approach moderate drinking carefully. Maintaining moderate drinking habits may be harder for them than for people without a family history of drinking problems. Once a person moves from moderate to heavier drinking, the risks of social problems (for example, drinking and driving, violence, and trauma) and medical problems (for example, liver disease, brain damage, and cancer) increase greatly.
Talk to a health care professional—Discuss your concerns with a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, or other health care provider. They can recommend groups or organizations that could help you avoid alcohol problems. If you are an adult who already has begun to drink, a health care professional can assess your drinking habits to see if you need to cut back on your drinking and advise you about how to do that.
First, it is important for you to define "all the time." Many people drink alcohol daily and do not get drunk and thus have no hangovers, no vomiting, and no liver disease (thus no death by drink). Actually, a glass of red wine each day is good for you. The varied flavors of alcohol can be interesting and complex. One day you will learn that the best alcohol must be savored and you will find that you do not pee any more often than drinking any other quantity of liquid. The reason you pee a lot, throw up, and get hangovers is that you are doing it wrong. Alcohol is often associated with fun because of the time that most people experiment with alcohol intoxication is when you are young and enjoying new found freedoms away from authority (usually your parents). Alcohol does lower inhibitions and is often an excuse for inappropriate behavior. Recent studies have proven that you don't loose your judgement completely and can still identify attractive and unattractive people. This shows that beer goggles are a myth that males use to sleep with women that they don't want a relationship with. The drinking doesn't make you happy or sad, but it does make your mood more acute. (happier or sadder) Those who have gone out of control with alcohol (ala Leaving Las Vegas) are looking for an escape or and end to depression. So, in conclusion, many people drink everyday because good beer tastes good. There is a reason it is expensive, because it is worth the price.Those who have alcohol issues or know of somebody in need of help should get help please try one of these sites.
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol there is lots of help available. Useful links are listed here.
A good place to start is talking to your GP who can refer you to local alcohol services. Alternatively you can contact one of the following organisations:
Drinkline
Drinkline runs a free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.
Helpline: 0800 917 8282
Addiction
A UK wide treatment agency, helping individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain
The British branch of this worldwide network, AA is an organisation of men and women who share their experience with each other hoping to solve their problems and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is worldwide and offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers.
Confidential Helpline 0207 40 30 888 open 10 am - 10pm or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Alcohol Concern
The national agency on alcohol misuse for England and Wales.
Provides general information about alcohol, and can help put you in touch with your nearest alcohol advice centre.
Call 020 7928 7377 or visit www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
NHS Choices
This site provides advice and information on alcohol and offers a database of support and treatment service
ADFAM
Information and advice for families of alcohol and drug users. The website has a list of local family support services.
Call 020 7553 7640 or visit www.adfam.org.uk
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA)
Information, advice and support to children of alcohol-dependent parents and people concerned with their welfare through a free and confidential telephone and email helpline.
Helpline: 0800 358 3456 helpline@nacoa.org.uk www.nacoa.org.uk
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Scotland's national voluntary organisation. Provides information and advice on responsible drinking.
Call 0141 572 6700 or visit www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
Talk to Frank
National drugs awareness site for young people and parents/carers.
Samaritans
Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicide.
You can ring the phone line on 08457 90 90 90
email jo@samaritans.org (they try their hardest to get back to you within 24 hours)
or visit www.samaritans.org
USA
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022
phone: 212/269-7797 fax: 212/269-7510
email: national@ncadd.org http://www.ncadd.org
HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)
244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022
phone: 212/269-7797 fax: 212/269-7510
email: national@ncadd.org http://www.ncadd.org
HOPE LINE: 800/NCA-CALL (24-hour Affiliate referral)
A FREE HELPLINE
5000 Birch St., West Tower, Ste 3000
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(800) 868-2148
5000 Birch St., West Tower, Ste 3000
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(800) 868-2148
Call 1-866-643-6144 Now to begin the process of change.
This is free, 24 hour a day, 7 days per week drug helpline is here to assist you.
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