Devastating Impact of Alcoholism on the Family
Alcoholism is a progressive disease that only gets worse as the sufferer moves through the aging process. That means that it tends, over time, to have increasingly harmful effects on the family and relationships within the family. Moreover, if the alcoholic is unwilling to do anything ro seek recovery, it becomes incumbent on other family members to adjust their lives in ways that will minimize the impact of the disease. Here are some further insights into the delemma.
How Alcoholism Impacts the Family
The effects of alcoholism on the family can be devastating. Having a husband, wife, mother or father as an alcoholic can potentially destroy a family.
If you've been in a long-term relationship with an alcoholic, codependency is almost inevitable, which essentially means that as a codependent you suffer from relationship addiction.
Being in a codependent relationship means your needs aren't being fulfilled emotionally and that the relationship will in all likelihood be totally one-sided - you trying to please or 'be there' for your spouse/partner. This will also have a huge impact on any kids you may have because they will pick up on the destructive nature of the relationship, which will affect them especially in later years.
The effects of alcoholism on a relationship or marriage are huge, in that it naturally puts huge strain on the relationship. So it may reach a stage whether things have just gotten too bad for you (and your kids) that staying in the relationship is just not possible. Considering the whole alcoholism and divorce conundrum or looking at separation may then become a very real issue for you.
Having grown up in a family where alcoholism was prevalent and caused so much pain, I know that it's a complex issue to handle and that there simply isn't a right/wrong answer. Each family's situation is unique. Questions like, is there abuse involved, how badly are the kids being effected, how bad has the alcoholism become? - are one's that only you can answer and will provide you with more clarity as to what the right thing to do is.
Eventually something you will have to do is begin taking a stand and practising tough love - if there is to be any hope that things will change. You're going to have to draw a line in the sand and say that 'this is it.'
This is when doing an intervention could be your trump card - because if done properly, and done well - it could well get your partner or spouse into proper treatment, and so be the start of things turning around.
At the end of the day though, there just isn't a quick fix solution. It will definitely help speaking to, and meeting others, who have gone through what you have. Al-Anon, is a great support network and excellent place for you to start. The worst thing in the world you can do, is try to keep things covered up and be ashamed of what is happening - so don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help because there is lots of it out there.
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The impact of alcohol problems on children and families can reach into every area of life physical and psychological health, finances, employment, social life and relationships. Problematic alcohol use can have a particular impact on the family, its structures and functions. Velleman 1993 suggested that there were seven key aspects of family life that could be adversely affected Children suffer a range of problems as a result of being in a childhood environment where a parent has an alcohol problem – physical, psychological, and behavioral Velleman, 2002. Children can be affected, albeit differently, regardless of whether it is the mother or father who is the problem drinker. They often take on responsibilities that are beyond their years, thus affecting their education and peer relationships. The child can be deprived of their childhood as they are too ashamed to bring friends home, or are not able to go out with friends because they have to care for a sibling or drunk parent.Experiencing or witnessing physical, verbal and sexual abuse are realities, with the drinking affecting family holidays and celebrations such as Christmas and birthdays Velleman, 2002. The child will commonly blame themselves for the problems that the family is experiencing in a vain attempt to make their environment better able to support them. Children exposed to alcohol because their mother drank problematically whilst pregnant are at risk from a particular range of physical and psychological problems.
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Gwenstefni
Alcohol Rehab