This is the same way that HIV is transmitted. You should definitely be checked for the presence of this condition. More importantly, you should stop sharing needles and ensure that you always follow safe sex guidelines. 5.I am a 42 year-old man who drinks socially. I have never experienced any problems associated with my alcohol use but I am afraid that I might be an alcoholic because my father died from alcoholism.
Alcoholism is a familial illness.
That is, it tends to run in families. A person whose father is alcoholic has a 5 times greater risk of developing the illness that a person without alcoholism in their family. It doesn't sound that you are showing any signs of the illness at this time. However, alcoholism can become evident at any point in a person's life. If the fear of becoming an alcoholic is bothering you, then stop drinking.