Addiction

[Mid Tn Mama]

Was listening to a radio show with a DR. who was an addiction researcher. It was very enlightening. A lady called in to ask what she could do to avoid alcoholism as both her parents were alcoholics. He replied that genetics do play a part in who becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol. I think I heard him say that someone with both parents who were alcoholics had a 65 (somewhere between 60-70 percent anyway) chance of becoming an alcoholic.

Another study he mentioned looked at young men and their reactions to alcohol. Those with at least one parent who was an alcoholic did not feel the effects of alcohol as much as those who were not the children of alcoholics. But as they studied the same group for many years, most of the young men with parents who were alcoholics became so themselves.

Sobering....(no pun intended)

I wonder about brain chemistry as there are so many trying different new drugs that may affect them. I read recently that the problem with addiction is that it changes your brain chemistry and that is why there are triggers to relapse and wierd reactions to some things that would not be so if you are not an addict.

What a shame to later be unable to take pain medication when you really need it because your brain chemistry is messed up. I've personally watched that happen to someone in an operating room. Very sad.

I really admire people who overcome addiction because it is such a difficult journey--one that never ends evidently.