Throughout the centuries there have been countless stories of the destructive nature of alcohol. Virtually every historical document dealing with the ethics or morality of a nation warns against the abuse of alcohol. Even today, some nations and religious groups go so far as banning the use of alcohol altogether.
It is widely known what happens to the family unit that suffers with the disease of alcoholism. Whether the alcoholic is mother or father, son or daughter, they are a raging hurricane that mercilessly plows through, destroying the lives of everyone in their path. Luckily today, there are places an alcoholic can go to get the help they need and get their lives back on track.
There is some speculation as to who may be prone to becoming an alcoholic. One theory is the predisposition of particular genes in DNA passed down from the parent. It is assumed if the "potential" alcoholic is lacking particular genes, they have a greater chance of becoming alcoholic. In this sense, alcoholism could be classified as a hereditary disease, passing down from generation to generation. But no one knows for sure what makes a person an alcoholic.
The disease of alcoholism and the family is still a very secretive thing in our society today. Most of us have had friends, if not ourselves, who have had/ do have an alcoholic parent or family member. This secret isn't usually shouted from the rooftops but kept under lock and key and hidden away. No one is ever usually too proud to have an alcoholic in their family.
The alcoholic can be an enigma; one moment calm, loving, peaceful and then the next moment (with or without a few drinks) full of rage, hateful and warring. Like a flipping coin, you may never know how it's going to end up. Some like to call it the Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde syndrome. This can cause fear and insecurity in a family that is already on edge and walking on eggshells.
When drinking, the alcoholic can be a loathsome creature who may be physically and/or emotionally abusive; the cause of social embarrassment, predatory, aggressive, the list goes on. They can also be the complete opposite, isolating themselves and being antisocial. They may be emotionally unavailable, extremely depressed and full of self-pity. Sadly these behaviors can continue on for months, years, and if they never seek help, for the rest of their lives.
The alcoholic is usually the center of attention for the family, needing attention and rarely contributing or giving back and always in trouble or in a crisis. Over time, this wears deeply on the family members and, in a sense, they become sick themselves. If the alcoholic is having a good day, the family is having a good day. If the alcoholic is having a bad day, the family is having a bad day. This is codependence which commonly develops among family members of an alcoholic.
Luckily there are support groups for family members who live, or have lived, with an alcoholic. There are numerous programs available like: Al Anon for family members of an alcoholic; Ala-teen for teenagers of alcoholics and ACoA for adult children of alcoholics. If you have lived with or do live with an alcoholic, there are others like you who now live happy and purposeful lives. You are not alone.
If you would like more information on alcohol and drug addiction, you can find it here: Alcohol Rehab.
Patrick McLemore is a recovering alcoholic and addict. Patrick has worked with the Manor House Recovery Center for the last two years providing guidance to numerous recovering alcoholics and addicts.
Living with an alcoholic is a very fragile existence, the relationship always undermined by a breach of trust or a potential breach of trust. Find out at http://www.livingwithanalcoholic.org on how to deal with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment