How Alcoholism Can Affect an Entire Family

Alcoholism is a serious problem that can destroy a family. There are many people suffering from this condition today. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, no less than 7% of people over the age of 18 have a drinking problem. This translates to nearly 13.8 million, including 8.1 million individuals who suffer from alcoholism and are trying to detox. Here’s the impact of this problem on families.

How Alcoholism Affects Children

Alcoholism can seriously affect children in a household. It can make them feel guilty. When children see such behaviors in adults, they tend to think that they are somehow responsible. It can also cause children to become frustrated and angry. It’s quite difficult for children to understand why an adult would behave in such a way. Alcoholism can also disrupt routines. For instance, a child can miss out on steady mealtimes or bedtimes. They may also end up taking on additional responsibilities to keep the household up and running. In the end, children can start losing friends, and they can even end up afraid of going to school.

The Impact of Alcoholism on Spouses

When an individual becomes addicted to alcohol, their focus will shift. Sometimes they can even neglect work in favor of drinking. Over time, their spouse will end up having to deal with the repercussions of a loss of income. Someone who is married to an alcoholic can also end up taking on more responsibilities with regard to the family. You will also find that people who are addicted to alcohol tend to put themselves and others in risky situations as they try to acquire alcohol. This is not only dangerous, but it’s very draining for whoever is dealing with them. This is why alcoholism is one of the causes of divorce.

Enabling Addiction

Family members generally protect and love each other. When a loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction, family members can try to hide it from the rest of the world. This can be because they feel ashamed, or it could be that they just want to protect their loved ones. It’s perfectly understandable for family members to want to protect their loved ones and help them get out of troubles caused by the addiction. In some instances, families can even let it continue and avoid detox so that they can keep everyone together. While this is probably done out of love, it can result in alcoholism continuing to impact every family member. This will further damage family bonds and drive a wedge between loved ones.

These are some of the effects of alcoholism on the family. It’s important to get this issue addressed as soon as it’s identified. If you are looking for help, contact us today for detox recommendations and addiction treatment.