Is it possible that my child is showing signs of becoming an alcoholic?

[shelly296]

My son's father is an alcoholic. I know this disease is passed down the blood line. My son craves everything that converts to sugar in the body, which is what alcohol does. I'm curious to know if this is an early sign that he has inherited the alcoholism disease. He's not quite 7 years old. But it is a HUGE concern for me. I know that it only takes one drink for an alcoholic to become dependent (regardless of age). Could his cravings for these foods be early signs of alcoholism?

[ROSYouralright]

Being proactive is a good thing but overanalyzing it all is really just going to cause you ALOT of unnecessary stress! Being a mom is the most difficult, yet rewarding job on the planet....our children do not come with instruction books and we receive no orientation! Its hands on, on the job training and we learn as we go. You did the right thing by posting.. We moms must stick together!!

[shelly296]

Thanks everyone... ROS - he is a wonderful kid, and I enjoy spending time with him. Forgot to mention that I'm a single mother, and he doesn't see his father (father's choice - not mine) I don't really talk about his father unless he specifically asks about him - we haven't seen him for over 2 years now. Nor do I saw bad things about his father to him (why bother). I thought I would ask if anyone else had heard this information because it was brought to my attention through my mother, who works for a doctor (not a pediatrician). Can't say that any tests have been done on this type of thing - after all - who would subject their children to tests to see if they may, in fact, be an alcoholic...it'd be like getting a child to smoke cigarettes to see if they develop lung cancer at an early age... But he does crave things that are not "sweet" that do convert to sugar in the body - ie: bread, pasta, starches.
I wouldn't say I'm going overboard with "analyzing" - just want to educate and prepare myself for future conversations, and often tell my 7 year old that "When he's older, we'll discuss the disease in more detail."
Thanks again ladies!

[ROSYouralright]

I agree 1000% spm. Your right and I loved your post as always. Kids do have a way of feeling"at fault" and "bad" so it is our jobs as parents to handle this kind of stuff delicately. Shelly, it sounds like you have a wonderful son. Relax and enjoy him

[specialmom]

Oh, I think talking is good Rosy, don't get me wrong.  I really do.  I have had some discussions with my son already too (age 9 and 8).  More generic in nature about the danger of drugs and drinking and mentioning addiction.  I think that is good.  I just thought maybe the personal discussion of the dad related directly to the child might cause the child to start thinking about himself in a certain way which could backfire.  Kids are so vulnerable.  

But my post was more to the mom that I think she'd be better off not overanalyzing at this point what her son is doing as it sounds fairly normal for kids to be attracted in a big way to sugar.  to not look for there to be an issue.  You can be on the look out as any parent should be but to not create an issue by putting one forward when there isn't one really.  Ya know?  :>)

Oh, that is unbelievable about the crack.  Gee whiz.  Disturbing.  

[ROSYouralright]

I'm sorry. I see u said preteen. :)

[ROSYouralright]

Very good post spm. The entire reason I suggested that its never to early to discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol is because my son came home from school last week (he's only 10) and a lil girl in his class told him about smoking crack! I Couldn't believe it...This day in age I don't think we have the choice of waiting until they are teens to discuss it. Its terribly sad but the truth is if they don't hear it from us they will hear alot of misinformation from classmates... I do agree with everything you said about the sugar and also not judging the son based on his dad...

[specialmom]

I  will say that I personally would not go down the road of thinking your child is going to be an alcoholic at this point.  MANY children love sugar ---  my two boys included.  They get the taste of it and boom.  They love it.  You can't have a house where there is none---  or then it is like romeo and Juliet and they start a secret love affair with it.  So have sweets at times but make them special treats.  Have much more of the healthy foods on hand.  That is what I do.  I mean, my son would take all the candy, fruit snacks, ice cream, cookies in the house before anything else!!  Both of them would do that.  I don't see them as beginning alcoholics hon.  I see them as kids who like sugar.  

I would not at this point put fear in him that he will 'end up like his dad'.  I just wouldn't.  As he enters the preteen years, then you can have discussions about addiction.  And point out that because his father was an addict/alcoholic that he is at greater risk.  (but plenty of people have alcoholic parents and don't become addicted.  In fact, many MANY become just the opposite and won't touch the stuff because they saw their parent drunk/high etc. and HATED that.).  I almost think if we talk TOO much about it being in our genetics that it becomes a self fulfilling prophesy.  

But I do think the sugar is unrelated.  Or most people are raising budding alcoholics.  :>)  (I might be one myself since I've got the love of chocolate!)  
good luck

[ROSYouralright]

I don't think it's ever to early to discuss the dangers of alcohol/drugs with your children. My mother and father were BOTH raging alcoholics and I am NOT! I agree that it can be passed down but we also have a CHOICE. educate your son on the dangers, have his dad tell him his struggles, and lead by example. That's all we can do as parents. I agree with the above about sugar and processed foods! Its addicting in and of itself....

[AnnieBrooke]

Hard to say, since sugar is more addictive than alcohol, and there is a lot of sugar hidden in day to day foods.  (Even those that don't taste sweet, like bread and frozen entrees.)  The last National Geographic had quite a hair-raising article about the amount of sugar Americans eat, and it comes out to something appalling like 70 lbs. a year apiece.  I'd be worried about sugar intake well before worrying about an alcoholic connection through the blood line.