Alcoholism’s Effects on the Family
How Alcohol Consumption Affects Our Loved Ones
Alcohol-dependent individuals continue to engage in compulsive behaviors despite adverse consequences. Many of these negative consequences affect the health and well-being of the individual, but family, friends, and other loved ones are also frequently impacted.
If we are a friend or family member of someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), we may seek methods to better comprehend our loved one’s behavior. It can feel difficult not to internalize their hurtful actions, but the reality is that alcoholics may not completely comprehend the impact of their actions on their friends and family.
Family members can often benefit from learning more about alcohol use disorders and exploring methods to improve their responses when interacting with someone who has an alcohol problem. This may involve establishing ground rules and joining a support group such as Al-Anon, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of families of individuals with alcohol use disorders.
In a Flash
Alcohol abuse can have severe negative effects on the health and well-being of both individuals and their families. Treatment is essential and can assist individuals in regaining normal functioning and enhancing their relationships with their partners, children, and other loved ones.
Support from family and friends is essential, but those who comprise the individual’s support system must also take care of themselves. If you have a family member with an alcohol use disorder, it can be beneficial to reach out to support groups, pursue educational resources, and speak with a mental health professional.
Alcohol’s effects on the brain
As time passes, loved ones of people with alcohol use disorder may feel less empathy for them and grow increasingly frustrated with them. We understand how difficult this can be, but it may be helpful to discover how alcohol affects the brain.
Alcohol can impair a person’s cognitive and motor abilities. This occurs when an individual is imbibing. It can also cause longer-lasting impairments that persist even after intoxication has subsided.
Chronic, excessive alcohol use can cause gray and white brain matter to diminish, resulting in brain atrophy. This can cause issues with:
- Observation
- Impulsiveness
- Studying
- History
- Issue-solving
- Processing velocity
- Spatial management
- Verbal elocution
Heavy alcohol use can also result in malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, both of which can exacerbate alcohol’s negative effects on the brain. Some individuals may develop alcohol-related dementia or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a cognitive disorder.
The Effects of Alcohol on Families
Intimate relationships can be severely harmed by alcohol use. As the problem worsens, those affected may withdraw from loved ones or lash out at those attempting to assist.
Enhanced Family Issues
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of family issues and violence. Some of the effects of alcohol on families include:
Individuals with an alcohol use disorder may perceive their spouse or other family members as a threat. This can create a mindset where a person who is in denial about their alcohol issues may feel attacked or defensive by attempts to get assistance for the individual or the family unit.
- Financial difficulties: It is not uncommon for people who abuse alcohol to experience financial difficulties. This could be caused by poor decisions, job loss, or excessive alcohol consumption. These issues not only affect the individual with the issue, but also the entire family.
- Legal issues Alcohol use may also contribute to legal issues such as arguments, driving under the influence, and domestic violence.
- Negative emotions: In response to a loved one’s drinking, family members may experience a range of negative emotions, such as sadness, frustration, and anxiety.
Influence on Children
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, families affected by alcoholism have elevated levels of confusion and stress. This can increase a child’s susceptibility to substance abuse and mental health issues.
Children with an alcoholic parent may also experience a wide variety of negative effects and emotions. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, these emotions may include:
- Enrage
- Anxiousness
- Confusedness
- Despondency
- Public Embarrassment
- Difficulty forming intimate relationships
Children may also manifest social withdrawal, risk-taking, and academic difficulties.
What Families Can Do to Cope
It is crucial to encourage our loved ones to seek treatment, but there are additional measures we can take to safeguard our health.
- Learn about alcohol use disorders: It can be beneficial to educate ourselves about addictions. In addition to learning how addiction affects the brain, understanding how treatment works can equip us with the tools and resources necessary to assist our loved ones during their recovery.
- Establish clear boundaries: It’s important to be supportive, but it’s also crucial to establish distinct boundaries when it comes to our loved one’s actions. For instance, make it plain that you will not tolerate drinking in your home and then enforce the consequences if this rule is violated.
- Take care of yourself: Caring for a family member with an alcohol problem can cause us to neglect our own needs and well-being. Make sure that you are giving yourself the items that you need to feel well. This includes eating nutritious meals, engaging in regular physical activity, interacting with peers, getting sufficient rest, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies.
- Consult a professional: Speaking with a therapist can also assist us in making meaning of our experiences. Our therapist can help us learn new methods of coping with our family member’s behaviors and practice new stress-reduction techniques.
Additionally, it is essential to regulate your expectations. Recuperation from alcoholism is a lengthy procedure that may involve setbacks.
Support Groups for Members of the Family
When a loved one is receiving treatment for an alcohol use disorder, family members can benefit from Alateen and Al-Anon’s educational and support programs. Participation in support groups provides a number of significant benefits:6
- They may reduce the likelihood that children will develop alcohol or substance abuse problems.
- These programs may assist in identifying children who require additional treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- These educational and supportive resources can help children and other family members realize that they are not to blame for an alcoholic family member’s problems.
- They can help family members feel less alone and realize that others have also been impacted by alcohol abuse.
These support organizations can be a source of stability, resources, and guidance for family members of alcoholics. We can learn more about how to care for our own health and wellbeing, in addition to finding individuals who have had similar experiences.
Obtaining Help
If you or someone you love has an alcohol use problem and are concerned about the impact it might be having on family and friends, speak to your healthcare provider. There are effective treatments available, and your doctor can advise you on the next steps. Your doctor can prescribe medications that can help people stop imbibing and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, they can suggest treatment programs that may aid in detox and recovery.
Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of the availability of medications to treat alcohol use disorder. According to a 2019 survey, only about 1.6% of adults with an alcohol use disorder reported using medication during treatment.