During my research on hereditary emotions I have no doubt that feelings are hereditary, even phobias.
If this is fact what are we passing onto our kids if we drink in excess. Over 20 years ago there was an article in New Scientist warning that we should have our children first before using drugs or alcohol.
We have a huge responsibility not to drink in excess not just for ourselves but for the children we intend to have, if any.
Enter the Nanny State that will prohibit us from having children if we dare to have a glass of wine.
I think adults are far better at making decisions than the State is. You state your research on 'hereditary emotions', is this just personal internet trawling curiosity or is it for some form of further education?
I'm not suggesting that the state gets involved (heaven forbid). A child is born with a certain personality, this can only come from it's parents - personality is an emotional state. The research I've done comes from different Universities - It's not difficult to find.
There is nothing good about alcohol. If people say they drink for taste then remove the alcohol content. The reality is people drink for effect. Alcohol is a drug and it is no different to cocaine of heroin...the only difference alcohol is socially acceptable. There are more crimes committed by alcohol users than any other drug. If you drink alcohol you are a drug user. I say this with experience. I have not had a drop of alcohol for over 27 years.
I agree. I assume that years ago alcohol was only available when fruit was in season (or grain) but to-day, of course it's freely available all the year round?
Erm, I think you need to look up the history of alcohol. Alcohol stores for years, some of the ingredients, grain, hops, malt and barley also store for years, it is an all year round process.
It was common in the Middle Ages, right up until Victorian times, that working people had micro breweries at home, because it was safer to brew week beer (1% - 2%) than drink the water.
Of course, anyone that takes any medication is also a drug user.
That still does not alter the fact that people drink alcohol for effect.
Just like they take Valium to calm their anxiety.
To say excess alcohol consumption is hereditary may be drawing a long line. Excess alcohol consumption is generally a symptom of a persons need to find an escape from reality. Excess alcohol drinkers may also suppress their feelings through a combination of drugs, gambling, sex, eating, shopping and so on.
Yes a lot of people take prescribed drugs for anxiety, stress etc.. Maybe they should look at the root cause of their anxiety. Then they may be able to treat the problem drug free.
Of course I could mention morphine used for pain relief, of which diamorphine (heroin) is a derivative. I could go on about codeine etc.
My point being, this finger pointing and using the word drugs, really is pointless because drugs are used in so much of society and they are not all bad. Many people use alcohol responsibly, this forum is for those that don't and are struggling with it.
I am talking about people who use drugs to suppress their emotions or drink alcohol for effect. Alcohol is a drug...period. If people are struggling with alcohol then i suggest AA. There they will find unlimited support. But, ultimately they will have to look at themselves. If you want to stop drinking first you have to want to. The biggest cause of people relapsing from my experience is when they glamorise alcohol stories. For an alcoholic is has to be total abstinence. There is nothing responsible about drinking alcohol. Its a drug.
Well, I hope next time you have a headache or toothache you don't take a drug to help with the pain.
'For an alcoholic is has to be total abstinence.'
Absolutely disagree with this statement. I am proof of the fact that this is an outdated view. 20+ years drink problem, over 10 years in AA.
I can now drink responsibily and socially (if I want to, which I often don't) with the help of more modern means. If AA works for someone and they are happy, then that is absolutely awesome and I am super pleased for them. But the teaches of AA are set in the 1930's and have been superseded by many different ways (both behavioural and medical).
It's time to acknowledge that what might suit one alcoholic may not suit another, and that options ARE available. It's not a one size fits all approach any longer. Statements such as the one you make that I have quoted often only serve to delay someone getting help because they can't see total abstinence at that time.
Lyn,
You make an interesting point. The brain doesn't actually 'mature' until the early 20's so up until that point it can be influenced by anything. I am British, but I've often wondered if that is why the drinking age in the US is 21.
But if this is correct, doesn't it then also apply to sugar, smoking, sex (it can be an addiction too), video gaming etc etc.
As I see it, if a parent has already been passed the gene/emotion/behaviour (whatever you wish to call it0 down by their parents, then the only way to not pass that on to their child will be to not engage in any risky, potentially addictive behaviour at all. It's no good saying don't drink to excess until they have children, because if they have the gene, then any drinking will be triggering that gene/emotion and the concept of the CHOICE of not drinking to excess is just not an achievable thing.
Sorry, apart from RHGB and Joanna, there seems to be some weird thinking in this thread.
Where do the crime figures come from?
The term ‘gymslip mums’ springs to mind by suggesting we have children before using alcohol.
I personally, wouldn’t want an operation without any drugs.
Then i would suggest you are not an alcoholic Joanna. And, besides why would you want to drink alcohol anyway? Maybe you can show heroin or crack users how to take their drug of choice responsibly.
The mind cannot see and to seek the answer in the mind will only push you further from the truth. The mind is the sum of all its past experiences. The mind is never now. It is either reflecting or projecting. So, if you want to treat any addiction or multiple addictions pay attention to the mind and its thinking but do not take delivery of those thoughts. Then you are truly in the moment. In this moment everything is pure and uncluttered. To understand this you must clear your mind of all thought.
Fully agree Lynn. I managed to stop due to my 1 year old twins. Was drinking too much by far and did stop.