Okay. So, I understand that alcoholism is a genetic thing. So how is it possible for a man to drink reasonably and responsibly until age 50 and then drink himself to death in the next eight years?
Does alcoholism sometimes not develop until later in life? In other words, can an alcoholic be a “normal” drinker until one day the alcoholism emerges?
I think so, both in terms of genetics (which I think for some, perhaps even many, applies) and in terms of “problem drinkers” with no known genetic predisposition.
Diabetes also has a strong gentetic component, but unless activated by behaviour (diet, lack of exercise, excess weight) can remain dormant for life.
Not every problem drinker is an “alcoholic”, imo. Some drug themselves to death with other substances while lacking any genetic tendency we know of. Sometimes, it is a habit/choice arising from mental or emotional issues. JMHO.
I have known several people who were “normal”, moderate drinkers or users of other drugs or didn’t use at all for most of their lives who began abusing substances during a rough time and a few who didn’t survive the experience.
Pretty much.
Alcoholism (a subset of chemical dependency) can present many different ways, and it’s not at all atypical for someone to drink without apparent problems for decades, then ‘lose it’ later in life.
A little research will often uncover that the drinking had not been normal for a long time before it blatantly manifested itself as alcoholism. But other times, it appears that the drinking was truly normal for most of the person’s adult life. Then it suddenly and rapidly became abnormal.
It’s multifactorial, as Interested Observer alluded to. Genes play a role, as do pre and neonatal exposures, early life environment, life experiences, psychological trauma, physical diseases, etc etc.