how likely is it I'm going to be an alcoholic or addict of some sort if I try it? What are my chances?

[girlfromsocal]

I've gone to 2 funerals. One was of my great aunt. She drank herself to death. She was the first funeral I remember. She was a huge boozer but so were her brothers. The older one has issues done substance use. Also my uncle is a drug addict and I have 2 cousin one that actually looks like me on my dad's side that I've seen that are like drug addicts. My maternal great grandpas were alcoholics. One almost died of it. The other died while drunk. And I know my aunt does drugs. Also my dad was a drunk. A lot of alcoholism is in my maternal grandma's side and in my paternal grandmother's side. My mom says my dad's side I'm presuming his mother's side were full of alcoholics. My cousin 2nd cousin that looks like me her parents were alcoholics. So that's like my great aunt or uncle. Idk exactly how she's related to me. Also my mom said within their family they were substance abusers. I think one of my aunt on my mom's side was an alcoholic. My dad's side of the family has a lot of alcoholism. Also his brother got murdered because of drug issue having to do with a phone or something. I think his maternal grandparents were alcoholics. People I know that aren't addicts? Are my mom's parents they had their time then they quit. So I mean they obviously weren't deep addicts. My mom isn't at all. She's drank like 3 times or something. She just doesn't like the feeling. She's so small it doesn't have a good affect on her. I wonder if I'm the same since I'm about her size. [Edited] But I'm 3 inches taller than her. My aunt isn't an alcoholic neither is the one closer to my mom. So there's some non-alcoholism in the family too. Also my great grandma on my maternal grandpa's side wasn't an alcoholic. So what are my chances?

[PSY]

The answer is: we don't know.

The truth of the matter is that you don't "inherit" alcoholism and/or drug addictions. You may inherit a greater tolerance to alcohol and/or drugs, which means you need more of the substance in order to feel the effects. The bottom-line, however, is that it all comes down to willpower. If you don't want to become like your family members, then you'll be smart enough to limit your usage, to know when to say, "I've had enough drinks for tonight," or, "I'd rather not experiment with this drug because I don't know how it will affect me."

[girlfromsocal]

well my mom can't tolerate it well but my dad loved it. So does that just lead me in the middle??

[FillingWithHope]

You are you. You make the decisions that will effect your future. Normally though when a family member sees what a stubstance does to a family memeber they are more cautious of the substance than anybody else. You just have to becareful and responsible. It doesn't put you in the middle because no one knows until it is happening.

[girlfromsocal]

substance never directly effected me. It effected my dad but he died before I knew. My aunt did it and my mom was friends with when I was young but I don't remember her drunk much or an issue with it. I also lived with my aunt who had a bottle of wine in the fridge but never saw her drunk I've seen it's bad effect on strangers moreso or on my mom when this waitor slipped alcohol in her drink and she had to drive. But not really directly been affected...

[Chris.]

All these people who have gone down the wrong path - and have suffered the ultimate sacrifice should be the sobering part. Meaning - you see what these things have done to your family, don't do them.

You don't need alcohol to be cool or to have friends - its just for some who like to have a good time and can manage it. If you do drink make sure you have good friends around to take care of you - and only do it once in awhile (No more than once a week). Don't go down a path of pain and suffering.



Best wishes,
Chris