Alcohol addiction not only impacts the person who is suffering from it; it ripples through the entire family. The whole family goes through a trail of emotional turmoil and disruption.
Alcohol addiction can affect people from all walks of life, irrespective of genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics. There is no single cause of this addiction. But, if the addict doesn’t get an alcohol detox, the problem can worsen.
If you have a family member who is suffering from alcoholism, you must understand that there are ways through which one can cure this addiction. For instance, Aegis Medical provides alcohol addiction treatment. Moreover, enrolling in alcoholics anonymous groups and other support groups can also help overcome this addiction.
No matter what steps you take, you must be patient and consistent with the efforts to overcome this disease.
Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction can be identified in a variety of ways. The severity of the disease can vary from person to person. If you or your family member finds it hard to stop once they start drinking or heavily drink all day, it can be a sign of alcohol addiction.
However, regardless of when and how one drinks, a simple way to identify alcoholism is when a person can’t stay sober for an extended period of time.
The following are some of the symptoms to identify alcoholism:
- Frequently drinking high quantities of alcohol.
- High tolerance to alcohol
- Drinking at odd times. For instance, on the way to work or first thing in the morning.
- Wanting to be in a place where there is alcohol.
- Depending on alcohol to function in life.
- Lethargy, depression, and other emotional issues due to high alcohol intake.
Impact on family
Alcohol addiction takes an emotional toll on the entire family of the addict. This addition leads to:
Stress and anxiety: One of the immediate impacts of alcohol addiction is increased stress and anxiety. Family members often constantly worry about the addict’s health and safety.
Shame and guilt: Family members may also experience shame and guilt due to the addiction. They blame themselves for the addiction, wondering if they had done something wrong that led to the addiction.
Anger and resentment: Over time, as the addiction persists, the family of the addict will become highly resentful and angry towards them. They may feel betrayed and manipulated, leading to strained relationships and interactions.
Enabling behavior: Often, the addict’s family may also develop an enabling behavior. Family members may try to shield the addict from the consequences of their actions and provide them with financial support.
Neglect of personal well-being: In the quest to help the addict, the family members may neglect their own personal well-being, including mental and physical health. This further exacerbates the emotional toll on the addict’s family.
How to Cure Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism destroys the entire family of the addict. Therefore, one must take steps to cure this disease.
There is no single diagnostic test for alcohol addiction. The healthcare provider will suggest a series of tests to identify the addiction.
If you are determined to help your family member overcome alcohol addiction, then you must know about the procedures that they use:
Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral therapy is a practical and widely used approach to treat alcohol addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy recognizes the specific situations, emotions, and thoughts that trigger their desire to drink. Once the trigger is identified, individuals are taught coping mechanisms to manage cravings and avoid relapse.
Medication: Specific medications can be prescribed to the addict to overcome addiction. Drugs such as naltrexone, topiramate, and gabapentin have been shown to decrease alcohol craving among addicts.
Rehab: A standard method to overcome alcohol addiction is through an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation programs can vary from anywhere between one to several months. Rehabilitation can help manage emotional turmoil or withdrawal symptoms.
Support groups: Alcohol addicts can also be enrolled in support groups to help them get sober. In these groups, the sober communities share relatable experiences and how they overcame the challenges. This encourages the addict to choose the right path.
Conclusion
Alcohol addiction has a profound impact on the family dynamics. It affects the individual who suffers from the addiction and the family members.
The emotional toll of addiction is unbearable. But there is hope for healing and recovery.
Taking professional help and being patient and consistent with the efforts will bear positive results.
