Al-Anon estimates that for each alcoholic, the lives of four other people are impacted because alcoholism is a family problem, not just an individual problem. Alcoholism in the home causes disruptions in the lives of each family member, which for some last a lifetime. Children exposed to alcoholism in the home are at higher risk for developing later alcohol use problems, according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. Aside from the risk of succumbing to alcoholism, the family system is impaired and each member develops an altered perception of normalcy due to chronic alcoholism in the home.
Increases Risk of Violence
Alcoholism is not the sole cause of violence in the home; however, it is a strong contributor. The Marin Institute reports that intimate partner violence is more likely to occur when alcohol abuse is present. In the majority of situations, women are more likely to succumb to partner abuse or assault when the partner is intoxicated with alcohol. A 2006 study reported in "Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research" concluded that alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related problems are linked to spousal abuse. The National Association for Children of Alcoholics further notes that children are likely to witness family violence and also become targets of physical abuse from the alcoholic in the home.
Causes Stress on Children
The inconsistency and chaos of living in a home with alcoholism is mentally and emotionally stressful for children. The University of Illinois Counseling Center explains that in order for children to make sense of the chaos in the home, certain roles emerge in each child as a means for dealing with the alcoholism. The role of hero is the child who tries to maintain peace in the home while also upholding the appearance of having a normal family. The adjuster tries to avoid conflict by remaining invisible to family members. The placater is responsible for calming family distress, much like a mediator, only her needs for comfort remain neglected. The scapegoat role is the disruptive force in the family, often stirring up more chaos through anger displays. The stress of the child having to maintain roles increases the likelihood of developing anxiety, depression and later abuse of alcohol.
Strains Marriage or Partnerships
According to AllPsych Online, non-alcoholic spouses or intimate partners in the home often develop feelings of hatred, avoidance and self-pity resulting from living with an alcoholic. When children are in the home, the sober parent often has to perform both parental roles to compensate for the lack of consistency by the partner with alcoholism. Alcoholism Solutions notes the additional relationship strains caused by alcoholism in the home include financial problems, acceptance of blame for the alcoholic's behaviors and fear of the alcoholic developing health problems.
Impaired Sense of Normalcy
Residents of the alcoholic's home have an impaired perception of normalcy. The University of Illinois Counseling Center explains a dynamic exists in the alcoholic's home that centers around certain rules. The rules include not trusting, not feeling and not talking about the existence of alcoholism. Trust is not achievable because commitments are unattainable in the alcoholic's home. Feeling is not an option because feelings cause pain. The perception of normalcy in the home is colored by denial of a family problem and perpetuation of the unspoken hope that if the alcoholism is ignored, then it does not really exist.
References
- "Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research": Spouse Abuse and Alcohol Problems Among White, African American, and Hispanic U.S. Army Soldiers; Nicole S. Bell, et al; October 2006
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics: Children of Alcoholics Important Facts
- AllPsych Online: Alcoholism and Its Effects on Family
- University of Illinois Counseling Center: Adult Children of Alcoholics
- Alcoholism Solutions: Wives of Alcoholics
