Alcoholism within a family is a perennial problem that can destroy a marriage. It creates lifelong discord and scourge in the heart and minds of family members, particularly children. Excessive drinking can ruin family finances, neglect children, cause marital conflicts, and shatter the happiness of loved ones.
Alcoholism is Never Good for the Abuser of It
Alcohol causes more harm than good for the person drinking, particularly with the abuse and misuse of alcohol. Alcohol addiction can have a wide range of negative effects on different aspects of a person’s life. This can result in consequent impacts on the lives of people associated with the person addicted to alcohol.
According to experts at the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is a leading cause or contributor to death in the United States. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect all major organs and cause various diseases. These can include high blood pressure, cancers, kidney failure, brain damage, tremors, etc. In addition, overconsumption of alcohol can cause a person to make poor decisions. Driving recklessly can be a potential hazard to other road users.
How Does Your Alcoholism Affect the Entire Family?
Alcoholism’s effects hit the entire family. The family must put all hands on deck to address and mitigate this menace. Early combat of this issue with love, care, and understanding can help stop alcoholism from wrecking an entire family lineage.
According to research by Andrea D. Spadoni et al., published in the United States National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, a positive family history of alcohol use disorder has been linked to an increased risk for the development of alcohol use disorder and neurocognitive factors have been postulated as important underlying mechanisms of familial alcoholism transmission.
Dysfunctional Families Due to Alcoholism
Holistically, Alcoholism is often seen as a trait of dysfunctional families. Myriads of problems leading to dysfunction are often experienced by having an alcoholic family member whose lifestyle disrupts a normal healthy family living happily in harmony.
The most horrendous situation is seen in children who take after their alcoholic parents. To better buttress this salient point, let’s look at the effects of alcoholism on families.
Damaged Family Relationships
Families affected by alcohol abuse often struggle to create a close-knit emotional bond. A study by the University of Buffalo describes heavy drinkers as linked to lower marital discord and a high risk of negative interactions among couples.
Developmental issues in neglected children
Parents who battle with addiction to alcohol are frequently neglectful of their offspring’s physical and emotional needs. This subsequently leads to serious developmental issues for the children. with problems such as; academic tussle, anxiety, depression, poor emotional development, difficulty with intimate relationships as adults, etc.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is a troubling concern as the effects of alcoholism pose an increased risk for domestic abuse in families. The abuse can be physical or emotional. Domestic abuse encompasses a range of harmful behaviors, such as humiliation, physical assault, manslaughter, rape, insults, and other abusive attitudes. These behaviors can have lasting effects on the emotional well-being of family members. The World Health Organization reported that 55 percent of physical assault cases between partners occurred under the influence of alcohol.
Physical and mental issues
Alcohol abuse can cause problems with a person’s mental state and overall well-being. Common health problems that can occur due to alcoholism include; liver disease, damage to the brain, stroke, hypertension, etc.
Reduced family finance/Bankruptcy
An addict’s alcohol spending can add up to thousands of dollars a month or even a week. These funds, if used judiciously, will offset bills and help cater to the family properly.
Start Healing From Alcoholism at Agape Treatment Center
Families with alcoholic parents are at risk of having children who struggle with alcohol abuse in the future. The impact of addiction can extend beyond the individual and affect other family members, potentially affecting future generations. It is important to take proactive steps to prevent addiction and its consequences to break this cycle.
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
