Alcohol Addiction - The Effects on Family Members and Various Coping Strategies and Solutions
Millions of people around the world suffer
from alcohol addiction. Alcohol abuse crosses all social boundaries, affecting
both genders, all ethnic groups, and all income levels. Regardless of the
alcoholic's social position, the family will surely be negatively affected.
This addiction overwhelms both the drinker and the family with self-pity,
anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, frustration, self-hatred, and sadness. We have
the best alcohol rehabilitation center in
Pune.
Often, family members cannot understand why
a drinker cannot use willpower to stop drinking. However, alcohol dependence
has little to do with willpower. Those with addiction are gripped by powerful
cravings and uncontrollable urges. This misunderstanding may cause uncertainty
and inaction, leaving the family to hope things will get better. But over time
the severity of the addiction worsens and family life begins to suffer.
For example, when an alcohol-dependent
parent is not paying attention to the children, neglect is inevitable. Daily
caretaking duties are left undone. The sober parent is left with the
responsibility to maintain daily routines, and family rituals, as well as
holidays and vacations.
Increasingly, the family arranges its whole
life around the alcoholic. Out of love and fear, families of drinkers go to
great lengths to cover up -- or control -- destructive drinking patterns. They
have a compulsion to keep the family together, at any cost. This is called
care-taking, rescuing, and enabling. Family members feel they have no choice but
to put up with anger and disrespect and to remain in a state of continual
worry, fear, and mistrust.
As many have experienced, trying to change
the drinker only brings resistance, hostility, and resentment. At times, the
drinker's hidden guilt and unhappiness are expressed with accusations and an
explosive temper. They sometimes strike children, kick doors, and attack the
nearest person.
Therefore, it is easy for family members to
feel hopeless, unhappy, and unable to believe that things can ever change. The
family is sometimes gripped by the memory of violence, infidelities, and other
humiliations, such as yelling, crying, threatening, or silent treatment. The
family wants and needs help, yet cannot do it alone.
However, the situation is not hopeless. To
begin repairing family life, one must first understand alcohol addiction and
how it affects the drinker. One must separate facts from misconceptions.
Indeed, erroneous beliefs about alcohol abuse can derail any efforts to help
the addict.
Secondly, the family members must learn
what they can do to reduce stress, anxiety, and worry. Most importantly, they
must acquire techniques and strategies to change the dynamic of their
interaction with the drinker. You can contact us through our website, we have
the best addiction treatment center in Pune.
Address: S.No. 258/2B, Plot No. 19, Khese Park, Lohegaon, Pune, 411032,
Maharashtra, India
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