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Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Jul 2014
Question: My wife is a recovering alcoholic. Her father was an alcoholic. I am not. How much risk is there that out daighter will be an alcoholic?
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Depends on how much education she gets!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for using this panel for your health query.

I am so sorry to hear that your wife is a recovering alcohol and her father was. I am sure you are pretty worried about your daughter as this seems to run in the family. Your concerns are genuine and show that you dearly and deeply care for your daughter. That is the right thing to do as a dad.

The chances of your daughter being an alcoholic in future are higher than that of the general population. However, this is not caused by a gene or a trait transmitted form the mother to the child that we cannot fix but, by the influence her environment has on her. The good news is that we can help shape the environment to make sure that she grows up in a more favorable environment that would help mitigate and reduce this risk. This calls for communication and education.

Talk to your daughter about the ills of alcohol and the various possible consequences this can have in her life. Use very subtle but non damaging elements from the mom which are evident to her as she watches mom battle with this alcohol intoxication and recovery. This would create awareness and possibly help her to control herself and grow up in a more responsible way. Her friends and peers would be influential on this. Try and get to know her friends and click just to make sure she is associating with the right persons as friends can easily cause her to derail.

Have this discussion as often as you can but, make sure you do not make it to become annoying. Let each discussion add a new reason why alcohol is bad and reinforces the previous messages that you have already discussed with her. Education and coaching would be very helpful to avert similar problems in future with alcohol.

In all, have honest and educative talks with your daughter about alcohol and its consequences. Help coach, guide and encourage her to keep away from alcohol and bad friends that may cause her to dive into this bad habit.

I hope this helps. I wish you well and your daughter well. My singular wish is that she grows up and defy the odds of becoming an alcoholic. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Brief Answer: Depends on how much education she gets! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for using this panel for your health query. I am so sorry to hear that your wife is a recovering alcohol and her father was. I am sure you are pretty worried about your daughter as this seems to run in the family. Your concerns are genuine and show that you dearly and deeply care for your daughter. That is the right thing to do as a dad. The chances of your daughter being an alcoholic in future are higher than that of the general population. However, this is not caused by a gene or a trait transmitted form the mother to the child that we cannot fix but, by the influence her environment has on her. The good news is that we can help shape the environment to make sure that she grows up in a more favorable environment that would help mitigate and reduce this risk. This calls for communication and education. Talk to your daughter about the ills of alcohol and the various possible consequences this can have in her life. Use very subtle but non damaging elements from the mom which are evident to her as she watches mom battle with this alcohol intoxication and recovery. This would create awareness and possibly help her to control herself and grow up in a more responsible way. Her friends and peers would be influential on this. Try and get to know her friends and click just to make sure she is associating with the right persons as friends can easily cause her to derail. Have this discussion as often as you can but, make sure you do not make it to become annoying. Let each discussion add a new reason why alcohol is bad and reinforces the previous messages that you have already discussed with her. Education and coaching would be very helpful to avert similar problems in future with alcohol. In all, have honest and educative talks with your daughter about alcohol and its consequences. Help coach, guide and encourage her to keep away from alcohol and bad friends that may cause her to dive into this bad habit. I hope this helps. I wish you well and your daughter well. My singular wish is that she grows up and defy the odds of becoming an alcoholic. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.