[essex bird]

Hi just wondering if anyone else was born to an alcoholic, if so do you have any problems because of it?

[belueiris]

Hi Essex,
I am an alcoholic birthmom, in recovery, and through God's Grace and a wonderful 12 step program I have not had to take a drink in quite a long time. I am not sure why I am responding to this post except that I have an honest desire to help. Alcoholism is a disease and an addiction, the CDC in Atlanta has found direct genetic links proving that a person with an alcoholic parent/parents has a greater pre-disposition to alcoholism, than someone without alcoholic parents. If you feel you have a drinking problem please check out www.aa.org. Only you can determine if you have a drinking problem and only you can take that first step to recovery, if you decide you are an alcoholic, you can get help and support, from people who know what you are going through because they have been there (at AA). We alcoholics are not unique, there are hundreds of thousands of us. If you would like more info on alcoholism, or just someone to talk to about it, please feel free to email me at ant_t_tam@ivillage.com
Your Friend
Tammie

[weesil88]

Hello,
Yes, my birth mother and father drink heavily. My mom is an alcaholic. I haven't spoken to her for the past two years. I found her in 1995 and we met twice. We got along okay, but she never opened up to me at all. Then she started calling me drunk telling me how much she regretted giving me up. This was just what I wanted to hear. But, when I called her when she was sober, she was a closed box. This happened for about 3 years then I just decided to screen my calls because I couldn't talk to her anymore because it hurt so much. I know what it is like. I pray for her. God never gives you more than you can handle and I know I can't handle this, he has to.

[KaseyHamnerM.S.]

I agree that alcoholism runs in birth families. As an adoptee, I also believe that environment plays a BIG part in it as well. I have alcoholism in both of my families. You just have to be especially vigilant around addictive substances. I do not drink alcohol because of that. I avoid all mind-altering substances. Better safe than sorry.

[essex bird]

To late to avoid it already in my life but as the only thing i know about my bmum is that she was alcoholic I wonder if my drink problem was because it was my only link to her just a thought.

[Maryannmcgwin]

Dear Essex,

I'm sure the link to bmum played a part in your drinking/drug problem, but if you really want to get well, and start WORKING a 12 step program, you'll find that you probably have a lot of reasons for drinking, and none of those reasons will help you stop drinking. Doing the 4th step - and I'm going to let you look that up - will help you to let go of looking for the whys of drinking and let you start looking for the hows to stop drinking. Those whys are important, because they will indicate to you what kinds of experiences are likely to trigger a drinking response. Any insight is helpful in battling this disease, but each insight is only one piece of a very complicated puzzle. Get a start on a new life and follow above advice and go to aa.org.

God bless,
been there