Living with an alcoholic : a case study on how alcoholism affects the family

Abstract

Alcohol misuse is one of the most challenging problems facing us today. In fact, alcoholism continues to be a growing phenomenon in our society. It is a disease that destroys the human personality and it has far reaching affects on the dependant's family. The aim of this study is, and to explore the effects of alcoholism on the family and to raise an awareness about the importance of treating the whole family as a system. A qualitative research method was utilized as it represents more closely the situation as experienced by the participants. In this study I conducted semi structured in-depth interviews with the family members of a recovering alcoholic. The findings of this study were then applied to either support or negate the existing theoretical framework. The main :findings revealed that alcoholism has a tremendous negative impact on family life. As a result of alcoholism the family of an alcoholic suffers from stress. The spouse is at a high risk of emotional problems and abuse, and the children are also likely to experience depression and other behavioural problems. The individual members suffer shame, guilt, loneliness and fear. Without a shred of a doubt, the disease gradually affects each and every member of the alcoholic family. The family members become emotionally sick as they start to develop symptoms and defences parallel to those of the alcoholic In order for one to survive in such an unhealthy family system one needs to adopt certain coping strategies and mechanisms. Once the alcoholic abstains from alcohol, the entire family needs to unlearn the dysfunctional patterns that it has learnt Living with an alcoholic definitely has serious repercussions on the entire family's individual personalities, yet together they can strive to bring about change and harmony within their family system. Sobriety can indeed provide them with another chance to life, love and harmony.