Cirrhosis Questions (long)

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hep93

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 12014

Posted 1/13/2008 9:46 PM (GMT 0)

Shelly, thanks for qualifying the genetic disposition to become alcoholic. I was just about to do the same. Just because one has one or both alcoholic parents, it doesn't mean a person WILL become alcoholic...just that there's a strong possibility and it's better not to test it.

Butterfly, I'm also sorry to hear of the boys' tragic deaths. I was really appalled about the mourners pouring beer on the grave! What on earth?!

My daughter told me yesterday that my 15-y.o. g'daughter drank Fri. night. She apparently had a hangover, as my daughter was trying to help her with that. Personally, I think she should have let her feel the full effects with no relief! It might make more of an impression.

Connie

Pink Grandma

Veteran Member

Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 2445

Posted 1/14/2008 1:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hello all, couldn't resist replying to the alcoholism running in families. I was the last born of both alcoholic parents. My father being a functioning one and my mother being a binger. There are 11 of us children 8 boys and 3 girls. Only my oldest sibling... a sister and I have been able squeak by without having a problem with alcohol so far.

I knew at an early age that our family had addictive personalities and that there was a high chance of me being an alcoholic too. I even consider myself an alcoholic.... just not an active drinking one. The urge is always there when things get tough, to pick up a drink and get sloshed. I can not tell you how many times I have told my co-workers that I need a drink and that as soon as work is over that I am going to get good and drunk. But the thing is......I don't do it. Not to say that I have never drank or got drunk....but I will not let myself drink just because things aren't going well. Does that make sense? I thank God everyday for my ability to not turn to alcohol because I do know it has been him keeping me strong.

My parents died 5 months apart when I was only 17. All my older brothers drank at their wakes. I thought that they were celebrating that my parents had died. It devastated me. I didn't realize that they couldn't deal with their pain and turned to alcohol. My aunt and uncle had to explain it to me. That's when I realized what an influence alcohol had on my family and decided that I wasn't going to fall into the same trap.

Now it is reeking havoc with the third and fourth generations. It's just a vicious cycle. I keep telling the kids only they can stop the cycle.

Is it heredity? Probably not. But children really do " Learn what they Live." Just my 2 cents.. .....well maybe a dollar and 2 cents. Every have a great evening. Thoughts and prayers to all....

ggirl

New Member

Joined : Jan 2008

Posts : 13

Posted 1/16/2008 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

Butterflythree, 1Shelley1 and Hep93,

Hey guys. I just now found the responses you sent over they weekend, not sure why I didn't see them before. Anyway, my husband went back to Texas the weekend after Christmas for work and that was really hard. Everytime he leaves I never know if it's going to be the last time we will see him or if I will get that dreadful call that he is in the hospital. For the last 2 weeks that he has been gone everytime we talk he seems so hateful, definitley not the man I know. Just yesterday he started talking to me nice again and like himself. I know I can't do anything to help him until he wants help himself, what's kind of scary is that he told me last week that he is actually afraid of what he will have to go through to stay sober. It makes me wonder how bad the DT's start to get when he is on the job and can't drink. Yes, Hep93 he is a functional drunk as you put it, but to be honest is there really any funtioning at all when an addict is this far gone? I guess to the addict they think that they are functioning just fine. I know in my heart once again that the Grace of God has been over my husband in the aspect that he hasn't lost his job, been in jail ect., due to the addiction. I have been concentrating all my energy on the kids and I. My boys are awesome, I have never lied to them and have always been honest about all of this so I hope I will be sending them into the world with understanding and knowing what love, hope and being strong is about. I agree with all of you being a friend/family member of an addict does take courage, strength and love. I have been told over and over to let my husband go that he will never change. But, God keeps me where I am and very much in-love with my husband. Besides, he needs me and the boys as much as we need him well again. Thanks for taking the time to listen. All of you have a beautiful day and God Bless Gina

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