My parent is an addict. Will I be one too?
44 Answers
Moderated by Danielle Johnson, MSED, Community mental Health Counseling, LMHC
Updated: Apr 20, 2021
Heretobeyourfriend
on
Sep 22, 2014
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No of course not!!! I am also the child of an addict,but here I am years later. At one point I did struggle addiction, but I got help as soon as possible. Your parent being an addict just means it may be harder for you to avoid addictions but does not make you any less of a person:) Hope I helped! Much love -heretobeyourfriend
Dealing with alcohol or drug abuse?
LeoAndrew
on
Oct 26, 2014
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My dad is an alcohol addict. But i'm not following his footstep just because I am his son. I have a greater willpower than him
SereneNights
on
Jun 7, 2015
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You will never be anything you do not want to be. You are a strong person, always believe in yourself
afriendcalledsiouxsie
on
Nov 6, 2014
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not necessarily. there can be a genetic disposition for alcohol abuse, but i think genetic disposition for drug abuse is much less. most important for you is to be proactive about staying clean and sober. find out everything you can about addiction, and stay abstinent for all drugs and alcohol as much as possible, especially if you are an adolescent or young adult.
knowing that you have addiction in your family is a great reason to seek out an alanon or narration group. these are the family and friend support groups for those who have alcoholism or drug abuse in their family.
it will also be beneficial to keep tabs on your own emotional states. notice if you are feeling depressed, and do something about it, other than using drugs.
find people who do not use. there are lots of them out there. let those people be your friends, and do everything in your power to discover things you can care about in life and ways to take good care of yourself.
Brettlstar
on
Nov 14, 2014
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There is a good book called Families and how to survive them. By Robbin Skinner and John Clease. It discusses the rules families develop and how that affects us through our life.
SmilingUnicorn
on
Aug 25, 2015
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Just because your parent is an addict, does not mean you'll be one too. You can use what you've gone through and witnessed for motivation, to make a better life for yourself.
Angel0309
on
Sep 22, 2014
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Addiction can be hereditary, so if you do decide to try drugs or alcohol you may be at a greater risk of becoming addicted to those substances. However, in any case the best possible thing to do is to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Anonymous
on
Oct 23, 2014
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No. Although you may have some genetic coding for addiction (in other words, you may be more susceptible to addiction) this does not mean you will absolutely become an addict.
Soldrew2015
on
Dec 8, 2015
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There is a possibility. We learn things from what we see. The closer the relationship we have to a certain person, the higher the chance we tend to adapt their habit or behavior especially if is an outlet to release stress. However, this is something that is preventable. .
Lotus48
on
Jan 20, 2016
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Not necessarily, but as children we learn by observation, therefore; there is an higher chance of being an addict verses a parent that does not use drugs.
DevonT
on
Feb 7, 2016
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No! Or yes. I don't know! But just because your parent is one, doesn't mean you will be too. The sins of the father do not damn the child.
SaraC13
on
Oct 31, 2014
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No. There are genetic markers and I'm sure it's in the environment you're in but no. If you do not want to be an addict and do not drink or use those drugs than no.
MattsListening
on
Nov 7, 2014
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While there are studies that show a predilection towards addiction based on genetics it is in no way a guarantee. The fact that the question is being asked shows awareness of a potential problem. With awareness the potential for prevention is very much increased. Stay strong, stay away from harmful addictive substances, and focus on productive things to keep you occupied. Remember that ultimately you are in charge of your own destiny.
Anonymous
on
Nov 9, 2014
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Not necessarily. Addiction can come from having traumatic things happen to your or just because you enjoy doing drugs. Addiction is never set in stone and you can always break the habit.
Anonymous
on
Nov 16, 2014
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No I don't believe so. There are genetic markers which can influence a person, but it doesn't control a person to the point they become an addict. If you truly don't want to fall into the trap that is addiction than I see no reason why you can't persist beyond it.
professionalDreamer32
on
Apr 8, 2015
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No! both my parents are addicts, and it's true that I have learned some very bad behaviors and coping skills from them. But by learning new ways of deal with life's problems (like what many of the articles in the resource area talk about!), I've been able to avoid that pitfall. I know many others who have as well. So I'd say you might have a higher chance of becoming an addict, but you can definitely avoid it.
heavenlySun21
on
May 5, 2015
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My family has tons of addicts. My parents are some of those addicts. Science has shown that there are genetic predispositions to addiction but that doesn't mean that you are destined to become one. I spent a few years in my grandparents house and then a few years at another house. One side drank and the other did not..environment plays a big role in addiction, I think.
oceanblue44
on
Jun 5, 2015
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Just because a parent or a family member is an addict does not men that you will become one. We all have the opportunity to choose our path! So no, if you choose to stay away from addictive substances then you will not become an addict! becoming an addict is affected by so many different aspects!
Anonymous
on
Jun 13, 2015
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I hope not. My parents gamble, drink coca-cola, coffee and insist they're intelligent. Sounds dumb? Both have been nigh unreasonable. I only detest myself partly for traits of two.. The other two, I am adverse to, not only because it was a big deal and that it ruined them. Tested myself. On the contrary, my little sister has a casino card. Then again, she was always a gamer. She loves coffee, I don't. Before that, none of the grandparents have history. Dad's dad smokes, he doesn't. People are different. We're all guilty to get addicted to something, if that is instead your question. If you are that worried, don't touch it. If it's dangerous, you'll be better off anyway.
ClaireyMarie
on
Jul 20, 2015
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Definitely not. Both of my parents were addicts, and I haven't touched any drug. I think from seeing my parents go down that path, it killed my curiosity about drugs all together. I have seen it in full force, and have never had any interest to do them myself. If you don't want to do drugs, you won't. Luckily it isn't genetic. :)
