I only drink occasionally but, when I do, I drink a lot. My dad was an alcoholic – will I get addicted too?
Marie, via email
Dr Christian says; Addiction is characterised by a strong desire to take a substance regularly, and often a physically unpleasant withdrawal state when you don’t have it. This is unlikely to happen with occasional use of alcohol, but it’s not impossible. You say that when you drink, you drink a lot. There is a large body of research that suggests alcoholism is inherited. It seems to be more common in some families and individuals may inherit a higher tolerance for alcohol.
People often use the phrase “addictive personality,” but many doctors question whether that really exists. It’s difficult to ascertain whether a person is an addict due to their personality or their personality is a result of their addiction. I believe no one is immune to addiction.
Keep a diary of your alcohol intake so you can see exactly how much you’re getting through. The recommended intake is no more than two units of alcohol per day for women and you should try to have at least two drink-free days a week. If your diary shows you are drinking too much, try setting yourself some rules – such as no drinking during the week, or in the daytime. If you’re finding things hard, talk to your GP or call confidential helpline Drinkline on 0800 917 8282.