Posted by grace ball on March 25, 2000, at 8:52:27
In reply to Grand Rounds Online: Inheritance and Alcoholism, posted by Dr. Bob on March 23, 2000, at 10:38:16
Dr.Bob,
I believe addictions such as alchholism can be inherited. I found out my grandmother must have been bipolar years after her death, she drank and took pills to soothe her pain until her death. My mother had the same symptoms and started drinking w/o the pills to soothe hers. When I started the same symptoms I went for proper treatment and was diagnosed. I could easily drink but I choose not too. I am so sorry my family thought this was the only way out of the pain, but then the medical field is changing to treat bipolar all the time. I guess what I would ask if is, is the bipolar inherited and the drinking learned behavior? is the drinking inherited too and do all bipolar people use this as a crutch to deal with the pain until they can find good medical treatment? What I do know is that I hated my grandmother actions and what she put us through as a family that I swore I could never do that to my family. When I started with the symptoms I ran fast so I would not have to live as she did. She has been gone for 25 years now. The treatment for bipolar or alcoholism was not as well known as it is now. If it was she may have lived a happier pain free life.
Thank You, Grace
poster:grace ball
thread:27935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28117.html