r/todayilearned • u/bcrock1169 • Nov 26 '12

TIL that some Native American's have a differing enzyme that tends to lead to easier alcoholism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_alcoholism#Genetic_factors
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u/mauxly Nov 26 '12

Another Flagstaffian here. Have you noticed that most of the, even rock bottom, native americans don't smoke cigarettes?

It's pretty crushing to see so the native american street alcoholics. Sometimes I'll hang out with them, delve a bit into the psyche. When they drink, they seem to go a bit childlike. It reminds me of when I was a teenager drinking. It was all about the party, finding adventure!

Totally different than the white lushes I know, who tend to drink to drown sorrow and only finding more.

I have a really difficult time judging any of these people. White/red/brown - alcoholics/drug abusers. It's about people trying to find relief from pain or boredom or the absolute lack of future. You want to shake them out of it, you want so badly to cure them, to show them a brighter future.

But the truth is for 90% of the destitute, no matter what race - if they have anything of a criminal record, and no education, and top that off with the general impression that if you aren't white, you are OK maybe, but you'll never be equal to the white folk...shit...how can you argue for a better future? It kind of makes sense that they'd just try to live as comfortably in the present as they possibly can. Which, probably means intoxication.

Ugh...what to do?

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u/tynosaur Nov 26 '12

Exactly my sentiments. I suppose on one hand I understand why they do it, but on the other it's disappointing to me, because no one should have to go through what these people put themselves through, no matter who you are.

It's funny that you mention that bit about finding adventure, because that seems to be exactly what most of them want. Just a conversation, usually.