The negative impact of alcoholism is rarely limited to the person who has the disorder. The lives of spouses, partners, siblings, and other loved ones are also likely to be disrupted. How does alcohol addiction affect the family, and what resources are available for those who need help?
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How Does Alcohol Addiction Affect the Family?
There is no single, one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how does alcohol addiction affect the family. For example, the impact of a parent’s struggles with alcoholism will likely be different than what would occur if a child (either adult or underage) develops a similar problem.
Also, factors such as finances, the nature of the relationships between individual family members, access to appropriate support, and the presence of mental health concerns can also cause variations in how different families are affected by a loved one’s addiction.
In general, though, here are five examples of ways that alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) can be harmful to families:
1. Erosion of Trust
Deceiving loved ones is a common behavior among people who have become addicted to alcohol. Whether lying about the amount and frequency of their drinking, being dishonest about where they’ve been and who’ve they’ve been associating with, or simply claiming that they don’t have a problem at all, people with alcohol addiction often find it virtually impossible to tell the truth to their friends and family members.
Understandably, this can erode trust within families, which can undermine communication, contribute to relationship problems, and weaken the overall family unit.
2. Maladaptive Behaviors
When one person in a family becomes dependent on alcohol or another drug, the other family members are often forced to change their behaviors in response. In some cases, family members find themselves in roles such as:
- The enabler: Sometimes also referred to as the caretaker, this is the person who supports the addicted individual no matter what. This often includes ignoring, excusing, and/or covering up for their drinking and the problems they cause. In addition to becoming codependent, the enabler may sacrifice the well-being of other family members in order to protect their relationship with the addicted person.
- The scapegoat: This is the family member who is frequently blamed for problems within the family, even though what has occurred is not their fault. This person may also act out in school or in other environments, potentially drawing negative attention to themselves and their family.
- The hero: This person becomes an overachiever – performing well in school, taking on many extracurriculars, and earning awards – in an attempt to perpetuate the appearance that all is well within the family. The stress the hero places on themselves can contribute to a host of medical, behavioral, and mental health concerns.
- The mascot: Sometimes called the clown, this person uses humor as a way to distract from the difficulties their family is experiencing, and to deal with the emotional pain of living with someone who is addicted to alcohol.
- The lost child: This family member recedes into the background, withdrawing from (and often being overlooked by) others. They may find it difficult to express their own emotions, and are likely to experience low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence.
3. Impact on Children
Many of the roles in the previous section are typically filled by children of a person who is addicted to alcohol. But whether or not they act in a manner that is consistent with these roles, children are unlikely to emerge unscathed if they are raised by someone who drinks compulsively.
Potential negative outcomes for children of alcoholics include:
- Substandard academic performance
- Discipline problems in school
- Low self-esteem and poor self-image
- Onset or worsening of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns
- Stress-related health problems
- Increased risk of substance use disorder and addiction
- Forming unhealthy relationships
- Poor socialization skills
4. Isolation
Society has come a long way in terms of how people view addiction. Unfortunately, though, many people retain the misguided perspective that compulsive substance use is a sign of low character or poor self-esteem.
Persistent stigma – combined with the shame and guilt that loved ones of alcoholics often feel – can have an isolating effect on family members. Instead of relying on friends for emotional support, or reaching out to teachers or other professionals for help, family members often suffer in silence. If not properly addressed, this disconnection from others can have lifelong consequences.
5. Trauma
Abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma are unfortunately common among families that have been affected by alcoholism. In the United States:
- Experts estimate that about 7.5 million children (or 10.5% of those ages 17 and under) are living with a parent who has alcohol use disorder.
- In 2021, 39.1% of children who were placed in out-of-home care had at least one parent who was addicted to alcohol or another drug.
- Of the 1.2 million annual cases of confirmed child neglect, about 480,000 (or about 40%) involve the use of alcohol or another drug.
- About 40% of all domestic violence reports are related to alcohol use.
A cohort study from Denmark, which involved the analysis of data from more than 84,000 adolescents and young adults, found that the long-term impact of parental alcohol abuse includes increased risk of addiction, teen pregnancy, hospitalization due to violence, unemployment, and attempted suicide.
Resources for Families Affected by Alcoholism
If your family has been affected by alcoholism, or you know a family that is currently struggling with this problem, the following resources may be able to help:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Al-Anon Family Groups
- Alateen
- SMART Recovery
- SMART Recovery Family & Friends
- National Association for Children of Addiction
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- National Child Abuse Hotline
Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
There’s no question that untreated alcoholism can have a devastating impact on individuals and families. But alcohol use disorder is a treatable condition – and when you get the help you need, you and your loved ones can begin to live much healthier lives.
Valor Behavioral Health provides personalized outpatient care for adults and adolescents whose lives have been disrupted by addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns. Our addiction treatment center in Atlanta, GA, is a safe and highly supportive place where patients receive age-appropriate services at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
