When someone is an alcoholic, the whole family suffers Alcoholism does not discriminate According to US Government surveys, about 14 million
Americans, 7.4 percent of the population, have a diagnosis of alcohol abuse.
More than one half of American adults have a close family member who has or
had alcoholism. About one in four children age 18 or younger have been
exposed to alcohol abuse or dependence in the family. Effects start before birth In the United States alone, as many as 40,000 babies are born each year with FAS. This costs our nation about $4 billion annually for health care, developmental disability programs, special education, and other services. Babies with FAS have damaged central nervous systems. The syndrome often damages a child's physical appearance, too. Victims have difficulties with attention span, learning, judgment, memory, problem-solving, and behavior problems. Other effects Children may not develop strong personal relationships with others. They have been disappointed frequently by an alcoholic parent and fear the same from others. Adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) may not realize how many problems come from their alcoholic parents. This may include depression, impulsive behaviors and difficulties with intimacy. ACOAs are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than someone raised by non alcoholics. They often are unable to deal with stress. Some adult children find themselves in relationships with alcoholics or in relationships that are abusive in other ways. How family members affect
each other Family and marital problems often start from alcoholism. Spouses and children can also contribute to the problem. By refusing to face the problem, they make it easier for the alcoholic to keep drinking. "Enablers" unknowingly help the alcoholic by covering up the problem. One example is paying debts caused by someone else's drinking. What is codependency? To fill feelings of emptiness, a codependent tends to use an alcoholic for identity, value, and well-being. Codependents neglect their own self interest to get along with the alcoholic, neglecting their own needs and desires. An entire family can be codependent. They seek to keep up picture perfect appearances by hiding the alcoholic’s problems. Rather than deal with the alcoholism or the embarrassment it causes, they may even avoid making friends. From survival to recovery It is often recommended that alcoholics attend
treatment or support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Other family
members can benefit from related groups: Al-Anon, for adults or Alateen, for
the children. All these groups are based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics
Anonymous. There are also alternatives to Twelve Step Programs if
the alcoholic decides to go a different route. It's a tough problem but there are plenty of good tools and resources to help you turn your life around: Please see Alcohol and/or Drugs, Alcohol and Related Issues and complete Self-Help Section Guide.
Top of Page | Home Page
| Site Guide
by Tara O'Donnell, Hearts & Minds intern |
Helpful Info Site Guide |
