What Effect Does Alcoholism Have on Your Family?
“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.” – Carl Jung.
Alcohol is a part of our culture. It is used for various purposes, including celebrating good news and having fun. However, it is frequently abused, and as a result, people suffer the consequences.
Alcoholism is when a person drinks too much alcohol and has serious problems with their mental and physical health. It is one of the addictions that can lead to death due to extreme intoxication.
Almost 16 crore Indians drink alcohol, with one-third becoming addicted. This indicates that India is dealing with serious alcohol addiction issues. One reason for this could be the ease with which it is available everywhere. A person of either lower or higher socioeconomic status can easily obtain alcohol.
Causes of Alcoholism
Many years of research have been done to determine what causes alcoholism, but no one cause has been found. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, social class, or body type.
A person may begin drinking alcohol out of curiosity or interest at first, but it can quickly become a habit that is difficult to break. When people are under stress, they may turn to alcohol. As a result, people begin to drink alcohol to escape reality. It produces a chemical in the brain known as dopamine, which causes addiction and dependence on alcohol. When one attempts to quit, withdrawal symptoms emerge that are both uncomfortable and disturbing.
If people around a person tend to drink alcohol, that person may be more likely to drink alcohol as well because it is accessible and available. This is especially true for teenagers, who are more likely to give in to alcoholism because peer pressure is so intense at that age.
The Effects of Alcoholism on Family Members
Alcoholism is frequently referred to as a family disease. If even one family member is addicted to alcohol, other family members will suffer in some way. Alcoholism has an impact on every aspect of life, whether it is physical, financial, social, or emotional. The following are some of the consequences of alcoholism:
- Financial Problems
It is a costly habit to develop in life. If a person is addicted to alcohol, they must drink a lot, which means spending a lot of money. It has a direct impact on the family’s savings and budget. Essential expenditures such as children’s education, rent, food, clothing, and medical necessities are overlooked.
It can also lead to job loss due to absenteeism or not doing work properly due to a hangover. Alcoholics can sometimes cause accidents that result in enormous expenses.
- Marital Problems
When one person in a marriage starts drinking too much, the other person usually has to deal with the consequences. As a result of financial and health issues, it can cause many problems in the marriage. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the following are the most common issues that arise between spouses when one partner abuses alcohol:
- Infidelity
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Stress
- Jealousy
- Divorce
Alcoholism in one person can lead to the development of emotions such as anger, sadness, and guilt in another. Co-dependency is a disorder that results from the accumulation of these emotions.
- Domestic and Emotional Abuse
It usually happens when the husband drinks heavily and returns home with a low level of consciousness. If the wife doesn’t do what her husband asks or argues with him about drinking, he beats her and talks badly to her.
Studies show that 92% of domestic violence victims said that their attacker had been drinking on the day of the attack. Another study discovered that 60–70% of those who attacked a partner had abused alcohol.
- Neglected Children
Children whose parents drink too much have emotional problems and are more likely to drink too much themselves. Guilt, frustration, anger, and sadness are the most common emotions they experience.
At home, children react to alcohol addiction in the following ways:
- Inability to socialise adequately
- Poor academic performance.
- Participating in anti-social behaviour.
- Developing anxiety and depression disorders
- Overachievement in school or a desire for perfection.
- stealing
- developing aggressive tendencies
- Health Problems
Divorce-related stress can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of the body. The various health (physical and mental) issues are as follows:
- Fatty liver disease caused by alcohol
- Ulcers and gastrointestinal problems
- Brain damage
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
Counselling for Alcoholism
A counsellor offers clients suffering from alcoholism support and guidance. They are provided with appropriate treatment plans, which include counselling sessions, medical assistance, and support groups.
Some of the therapies commonly used in the treatment of alcoholism include:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy entails the following:
- Dealing with irrational addictive thoughts
- Observing and correcting cognitive distortions
- Recognising all negative thoughts
- Developing positive thoughts
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy entails the following:
- Learning to live in the present moment
- Coping with complex emotions and distress
- Exercising honest and open communication
- Improving interpersonal effectiveness
Motivational Interviewing entails the following:
- Increasing resistance to symptoms
- Increasing self-efficacy
- Improving decision making
- Exploring past successes to increase motivation
Get Support
Professionals who provide online counselling services can assist with a wide range of emotional, relationship, parenting, mental illness, and addiction problems. Online counsellors can assist you in listening, offering solutions, and even offering support. You can now get professional help from the convenience of your own home.
Book an appointment today by calling +91 90008 50001 or clicking here.