Are people genetically prone to enjoy alcohol more than others?

tomofson

I come from a family with a history of chronic alcoholism, have lost some very close relatives to alcoholism.

Over the last few months I have been drinking quite heavily despite the fact I avoided drinking throughout my whole life, and the enjoyment I get from drinking just keeps pulling me back into it.

I spend most of my money on alcohol the weeks I do have money, I spent over two thousand euros I had saved up on alcohol over the course of six months, I tend to drink bottles of whiskey, usually Jim Beam. I usually drink two liters in a day when I get paid, though I will have some left over the next morning.

I drink all day the day I get paid and the day after then go the rest of the week without any money then just do the same thing again the next week.

My whole family nearly all have a history of either alcohol or drug abuse, Have lost family members to both alcohol and drug addiction.

I just cant believe how much of a hold this stuff really takes on you, I used to sort of hate my family members because I never understood how enjoyable being drunk really is, but now I understand.

Everything is so much better while intoxicated, listening to music, sitting on a bus, laughing at jokes, its all so much more enjoyable.

Ave Sodalis

Enjoying alcohol isn't genetic but being prone to addiction is. The reason alcohol addiction tends to run in families is due to the instilled attitude towards alcohol. Stressors, which can include growing up in a household with an addict of some type, at a young age are also a risk factor for addictive personalities.

OP, it's so much better for now, but like any addiction, the buzz doesn't last. Eventually, you don't drink just because it makes you feel good, you drink because you need it just to cope with your day. I can't offer any advice but I sincerely hope you can find the help you need.

Airyfairy12

I come from a family of alcoholics too on both sides, my mothers 3 siblings are alcoholics - one has managed to quit, the others are spiralling. My mother has an addictive personality so doesn't drink but smokes 40 a day and takes over the counter painkillers multiple times a day. My dads an alcoholic and so are his two brothers. I love nothing more than a few glasses of whiskey and if I let myself im nearly sure id go the same way as my family. Whenever something goes wrong or im a bit stressed the first thing that pops into my head is drink... so I dont give into it and hardly ever drink, especially not alone, drink is for social occasions only and even then I have to really watch myself because I find it very difficult to stop.
You need to have the will power to stop yourself and I think thats what it really comes down to. You can have a genetic component but there's no gun to your head, you have a choice. Don't convince yourself that your a victim of bad genetics and therefore have no control over your life, if you know you have a higher chance of becoming addicted and you already feel it having a hold on you then stop doing it. Don't keep drink in the house and find some other way to deal with your emotions. Alcohol destroys people, ive relatives whove been homeless and one living in care home because he cant look after himself at 48, he's brain damaged, can barely walk and has slurred speech because of the drink, he sounds drunk even when he's sober. Its an awful way to end up.

Rubberchikken

If youre spending what you earn on alcohol then maybe you need help and support.
Just because family members have alcohol issues it doesnt mean you have to also.
Has something happened in the past few months to kickstart this?
Alcohol can be nice. It can be enjoyable. But if its making you miserable/taking most of your money/ then you need to deal with it.
Good luck