Who's had a run-in with this dread disease in their lifetime? My mother was a drunk from about my age 10-20. Thankfully, she has it under control now but her disease sure put an extra hardship on some important developmental years.
Alcoholism n 1: prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms [syn: alcohol addiction, drunkenness] 2: an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess [syn: dipsomania, potomania] Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University Alcohol n 1: a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; "alcohol (or drink) ruined him" [syn: alcoholic beverage, drink, intoxicant, inebriant] 2: any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University ism n : a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school [syn: doctrine, philosophy, school of thought] Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University Interesting how when one makes alcohol their belief system (ism) their life becomes "volatile" as the root word itself. I was fortunate to notice a pattern of volatility in my own life when I began drinking, though legally, at the age of twenty-one. So I changed my belief system, or fine tuned it, and chose while I still had sense enough to stop spending my hard earned money on something that would destroy most certainly. It had not yet become "disease" status with me, for I only consumed alcohol for 4 months. But I do believe the "disease" is very destructive in its infancy, or in full blown stages. I thankfully was not to the point of addiction. But food on the other hand... in excess amounts, primarily of the "sweets" food group... I'm an addict.
Yeah, its in my blood. 3 generations that I am aware of. I am not affected. I am 27, and in controll, but not completely free. I did drink tonight, but not to excess, and I may drink another day this week, but it all comes down to self respect, as well as controll. I know what I am up against, so I fight it. I fight it because I have seen how it affects others. I am better than that.
Both of my maternal grandparents were serious alcoholics - it got the worst when my grandfather was running for senator. Anyway, my mother basically raised herself - they cared and did little. Finally, she was able to leave for college - she got a ride with a friend...they didn't say goodbye, give her help, nothing. Because of all of that, she would overcompensate when she was young...now it has just become a part of her and she is the most outgoing and lively person in the world.
My father is an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic. I'm not quite sure what his status is. We last talked when my maternal grandfather passed in 09/98 which was the first time we had talked since 10/90, which was perhaps the 6th time we had talked since 1985. {insert Steve Martin's line from the Jerk} As a child, I was fortunate enough to have other figures in my life, however. My father lost his sense of purpose when his father passed (a few years ago my dad told me that he started drinking from his father's liquor cabinet when he was young.... as in four years of age, he was the youngest of 3 boys) in 1978. And he was in and out of hospitals or treatment programs throughout the late 70s and into the second Reagan administration (with times of sobriety and living in our home mixed in). His family compensated for my father's transgressions, including the time in which my great uncle sold a new car to my mother for $1. They offered spritual support as well, and my sister and I stayed with my paternal great grandmother's 'domestic servant' (aka great aunt Minnie) as children. We remained close until her death (rip Minnie). When my father's 'illness' or 'wussiness' went south, however, I spent the bulk of my time with my mother's side of the family. And those guys kept me sane. My grandmother, man... what a truly amazing person. Even thinking of my mother's father humbles me. He was my father figure. He should have been everyone's father figure. I should probably stop here... I have to go tour a home in 35 minutes... but I will say... I don't really miss having had a father... and I cherish the opportunity that I had to become closer to my grandfather. Reading Htown's efforts with that child gave me a ton of respect for that guy... he really is Htownhero. I'm not sure which gene or genes 'code for' (pardon the expression) the disease (I'm not interested).. but I can certainly see what the aftermath is... and what one of the cures is. For me, the cure was undoubtedly the village...
I could never be an alcoholic. Every time I drink to excess, I get so dreadfully sick the next day that I'm totally useless. I don't know how some people do it.
I've had two uncles on my dads side of the family die from being alcoholics all their life. Another uncle, although through marriage, also died from a life long habit of heavy drinking. My uncles on my moms side of the family were pretty heavy drinkers while I was growing up, but have since mellowed in their old age. When I open a beer and smell that first scent of beer, it reminds me of when I was a little boy and my uncles breathe when they would pick me up to carry me. Wierd! Those older generations didn't really do much about it, drinking so much and every day was just how it was. I'm pretty much a light weight when it comes to alcohol, although sure, I get drunk occasionally. For a while there I was drinking a bottle of wine with a lady friend everyday, but I just can't keep it up, even if it is only half a bottle or 2.5 glasses of wine. As I said, I'm a light weight. Now, when we chill together I'll have a beer over the course of 2 hours or so. I'd say I have traits of obsessive/compulsive behavior. I was the BIGGEST weedhead in the world for years and have finally stopped. When I find something new to do, I get all into it. Whatever it may be, I want to do it to the fullest. Fortunately I see this about me and make sure to keep myself in check or make sure its something healthy I'm getting addicted to. Also, being incredibly busy just gives me no time or desire to wanna stayed f*cked up all the time. I just don't have time! I'd say theres no better way to live than with all your wits about you, all your liver and lungs in one piece and your mind down on earth in reality.
Rimbaud's story has a familiar tone with my family. My gradfather eventually died because he drank too much, and my grandmother eventually cleaned up before I was born. Her later husband used to drink a lot when I was little, but he too faced health problems and had to stop drinking. Plus - I've lived with people at college who drink way too much and it affects their lives. Needless to say, I've seen what it can do and make it my point to avoid alcohol altogether. Even if I didn't - I'm three years underage.
