MW> JK> If there is any family history of alcoholism or the bipolar disorder
MW> JK> then medication needs to be considered only after other methods such
MW> JK> as remedial diet have failed to make the desired changes.
MW> JK> And ADD is associated with alcoholism and bipolar disorder in some
MW> JK> folks.
MW>     Very true, but we were talking about children. While the family may
MW>     have a history of alcoholism, and the child may have a tendency 
towards
MW>     it, later in life, the small child hopefully is not ingesting 
cohol.
Genetic alcoholism means that the brain and body chemistry are there
BEFORE the alcohol is consumed!  That was the subject of studies done in
the Scandinavian nations some years ago and also repeated over here.
The sons of alcoholics will have certain symptoms long before they
drink.
This means that no drug found to be harmful to any alcoholic or any
bipolar individual should ever be given to a child with a family history
of alcoholism!
And, IF THAT QUESTION DOESN'T COME UP BEFORE ANY MEDICATIONS ARE
PRESCRIBED FOR THE CHILD, then whoever treats the kid is guilty of
malpractice!
We will see a whopping lawsuit over this shortly as folks understand the
problems that occur when doctors refuse to obtain the kind of history
necessary to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
MW>     My grandson, who is 5, is on Dexadrine and Hydroxyzine. The medicine
MW>     is making a fantastic difference in him. He is able to concentrate so
MW>     much better and he can control his temper. He is much happier with 
him-
MW>     self. He is monitored very closely by his doctor and his family.
Alcohol works just fine in the children of alcholics to allow them to
function well.  Then it gets very nasty, very soon.
If your grandson is ADD, then be advised that there are plenty of other
forms of treatment that will also work well and not run the risks that
these do.
However, that takes someone who understands the brain and body chemistry
involved and how to affect it by other means besides the drugs.
 * SLMR 2.1a * Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.
                                               
--- JCQWK
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