Do you have alcoholism in your family? If so, do you drink?

[Descartes]

They say you're something like three times as likely to become alcohol dependent if you have a history of alcoholism in your family, due to both genetic and environmental exposure. On one side of my family there lies a history of alcoholism. I've never been a "drinker", save for the times I have a glass of wine with dinner. I never considered that to be an issue, but a recent discussion with a friend suggested otherwise. Is it perilous to consume even a glass of wine occasionally with dinner? By occasionally, I mean maybe 3 times a week.

Thoughts?

 

[Russ]

Yes. No.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Linflas]

Yes and yes in moderation.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Yes & YES!

 

[Vadatajs]

<< Yes and yes in moderation. >>

 

[tweakmm]

yes and YES

 

[StageLeft]

Hard to say on the first one. My family is fromt england and everyone there is an alcoholic anyway. Second question yes.

 

[crawford]

Both my grandparents on my dads side were alchoholics, and so was my uncle. This has made me not drink because im afraid it could happen to me. I am only 16, but i get crap at school for not drinking but i dont care. I think 3 times a week might be ok but id be careful.

 

[AreaCode707]

Yes and no. Alcoholism runs in the family, but I don't drink for two reasons. One: underage. Two: on medications that can't be taken with alcohol. Even if I were 21 and not on meds, I wouldn't "drink", no more than a glass of wine on occasion. Partly because the family history and partly because there is no appeal for me in getting drunk.

 

[Migroo]

<< Yes and yes in moderation. >>

 

[geno]

<< Yes and yes in moderation. >>

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Yes, alcoholism and drug addiction are problems in my (extended) family. Fortunately, I've seen what it has done to my relatives, and that is more than enough to keep me away from that stuff.

Now that I'm 21 I do drink occasionally though. By occasionally I mean that I've had alcoholic beverages on a few seperate occasions, and never enough to get drunk.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

<< Yes and yes in moderation. >>

 

[Elita1]

No history here that I know of, and an occasional glass of wine with dinner shouldn't be too much of an issue, though I suppose it depends on the state of your health.
It's true that genes and environment may have an influence, but I'm amazed that sometimes they don't take self-control, willpower and learning from others' mistakes into account.
These are the things that can help overcome 'influential factors'.

 

[N8Magic]

Yes and YES.

 

[TheVrolok]

Yes. No.

 

[tcsenter]

My paternal grandfather was a notorious drunk who actually drank himself to death at 40 something. He was a whiskey drinker. My maternal grandfather was probably a drunk, too. He did his fair share of it and wouldn't think twice about blowing half his modest paycheck on booze and gambling (probably a hooker or three) even though he had eight (8) children at home who weren't always properly fed or clothed. He eventually stopped drinking, not before most of his older children hated him. He would have three more children (11 in all).

My mother never drank except on rare occasion, and then it was only one or two drinks. My father flirted with alcoholism for a few years, but my mother told him to stop drinking or GTFO so he stopped. I partied heartily in high school and a few years after, but that got real old. I got tired of not knowing how I got home, where my money had went, who gave me this black eye, waking up with a killer hangover, etc. So, I pretty much stopped drinking several years ago and don't miss anything about it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

No and no. My parents and brother drink a little, but it's at the level of getting a margarita at a mexican resturant once in a while rather than having an open bottle of wine in the fridge. I didn't get into drinking as a teen and have never felt the need to start as an adult, so I don't know what I'm missing

 

[IGBT]

Similar family history here...drinking isn't part of my routine and don't keep alcohol at home. Over the past 3 or so years I may have had 2 glasses of wine. The immune suppressant characteristic of alcohol is well documented and best avoided despite the rhetoric of health claims from the distilling and fermenting industry. Off the MD's I know none recomend alcohol to their patients.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

There's way too much alcoholism in my family for me to drink. I had a drink a few weeks ago and although it tasted great and I felt relaxed, I know it's not a game I can afford to play per my predisposition.

nik

 

[hzl eyed grl]

There are quite a few alcoholics in my family. (Uncles, cousins, etc....) My parents aren't though. I like to go out and have a drink once in a while, but it's not a big deal for me if I don't drink. I have maybe a couple drinks a month or sometimes just a couple and then not for a few months later. So.....even though alcoholism runs in my family....thankfully, alcohol isn't that big of a deal to me.

 

[bizmark]

Yes and Yes.

Was going to say "Yes and yes in moderation," but now I've gotten to the point that when I decide to drink, I really *need* to get drunk and lose myself for a while. So yes, and I moderate myself by not drinking all of the time, but when I do decide to drink, it is not in moderation.

 

[Spike]

yes and a very seldom yes. There is a bit on my moms side, so I am pretty warry about drinking. I have a drink about every other week and it is almost always a half-glass of wine with dinner. I think it is ok to drink, just watch yourself. If you think you may drink a bit to much, grab a mountain dew instead, it is better for you and much cheaper!

 

[mk]

Yes. No.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'am Irish/German what do you think

I have alcoholics from both sides including my own father but he did quit drinking almost 30 years ago. I am scared to death that I will end up one so I hardly ever drink anything.