Random Question for my Asians

Young_Love

I know this is SUPER general, but is alcoholism common in Asian cultures?

Like, say I was writng a novel...would it be realistic to have an alcoholic parent in an Asian family? I would say the parents were born in their home country, but loved here since a very young age, so were pretty Americanized.

Wan-naBe

i only have one uncle who would even come close to being labeled as an alcoholic - and he's only a weekend drinker. ?and most of my friends' parents were big drinkers, but i don't know if they'd be considered alcoholics. ?i don't know any who needed booze to get through the day, and that's my personal definition of alcoholism.

winniew0917

In my opinion, alcoholism happens everywhere to all ethnic groups, but Asians are just more likely to hide it from other people.

Young_Love

winniew0917:

In my opinion, alcoholism happens everywhere to all ethnic groups, but Asians are just more likely to hide it from other people.

This is what I was wondering. It seems to be a universal thing, but I can't think of many Asians I know who have talked about it. So I was wondering if it didn't happen, or if it was just hidden better.

JD 2 B

I'm going to answer as married to an Asian.. I have several IL relatives that have gone through a lot of drama due to alcoholism in the family. The branch of the family tree that it seems to carry it in the gene pool has stayed in India and not come to the U.S.

WeeMo

I don't think alcoholism any more or less common amongst Asians.

Many persons of Asian descent, however, lack alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme necessary to break down alcohol. Ironically, it is the mutation of certain genes related to ADH that seems to be linked to alcoholism amongst Asians.

WeeMo

Young_Love:

I would say the parents were born in their home country, but lived here since a very young age, so were pretty Americanized.

This is Mr. Monkey.
He is not a FOB.
?

AsianPrncssKim

Growing up, I barely saw my parents drink.  In fact, I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I saw them even take a sip of something alcoholic.  Now that I think about it, at most of the parties we went to growing up, I'm not even sure if there was alcohol there...  even now, I dont think the parties would have alcohol.  Of course, this is all probably pretty skewed, because my mom is a very active member of a bible study and church group, so most of her friends are in that same crowd.

The "younger" generation, however, loves us some alcohol, and any parties that "we" throw always has tons of it.  Though, I wouldnt label us as alcoholics.

AsianPrncssKim

WeeMo:

Young_Love:

I would say the parents were born in their home country, but lived here since a very young age, so were pretty Americanized.

This is Mr. Monkey.
He is not a FOB.
 

This is me too!!

APK =/= FOB

AsianPrncssKim

WeeMo:

Many persons of Asian descent, however, lack alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme necessary to break down alcohol.

Is this "red face syndrome?"  If so, my MOH has it, and it totally makes her embarrassed to drink.  Which basically meant I had a dd all the time.  :-)

WeeMo

Actually, "red face syndrome" or "Asian flush" is due to acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). The blushing effect is due to capillary dilation.

I am a weirdo who was curious about this years ago and read a lot about it.

?

Young_Love

WeeMo:

Young_Love:

I would say the parents were born in their home country, but lived here since a very young age, so were pretty Americanized.

This is Mr. Monkey.
He is not a FOB.
 

This is Mr. Y_L also. The least FOBby person you could meet. Haha.

starlily313

WeeMo:

Actually, "red face syndrome" or "Asian flush" is due to acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). The blushing effect is due to capillary dilation.

My H starts flushing after a few sips of a drink. I tease him that it's his strongest Asian feature.

10YearsTogether

This is very interesting.

Weemo - you are too much, lol.

WeeMo

It's a topic that has interested me for years. My brother doesn't get Asian flush, but my dad really?does. I get a little pink, but it's no big deal -- it just looks like a light dusting of Nars Orgasm.

jaymewilson12

I have 5 friends that have the red face problem when they drink.  (which in my younger days made me think that ALL asians were allergic to alcohol)  I have one friend that wont drink because of it.  Another that it gets so bad that his eyes itch and get really blood shot from it.  But he doesn't let that hold him back.  LOL.

I have no point to my story.  I just related a little bit and wanted to chime in.

Young_Love

One of my students recommended making my character HALF Asian...white alcoholic mom, strict Asian dad. But then another student said the strict Asian dad would never put up with the white acoholic mom.

WeeMo

Your second student is spot-on.

Young_Love

Ugh.

I'm trying to add in an Asian character here and it is not working. Blahhhh.

WeeMo

Adopted child with Twinkie issues?

Young_Love

WeeMo:

Adopted child with Twinkie issues?

Hmmm...I might be able to work with that...

10YearsTogether

Twinkies always work.

 

ihearttim

My cousin and I are both 1/4 Asian, but she gets red face when she drinks and I don't.  Genetics are weird.

WeeMo

You win!

Pea&Bee

My friend's brother was an alcoholic but his family hid it because they were ashamed. When he died they told everyone in the family that he had a heart attack even though it was related to the drinking. My friend asked me not to mention his drinking problem any where near the family during the funeral because no one knew. Even the wife he'd recently divorced before he passed kept it a secret. It happens...or at least I know of one Asian family where it's happened.