Families and Alcoholism

 

Child dealing with Alcoholism

Alcoholism is an awful thing that families around the world have to deal with on a daily basis 

and can cause problems for generations down the line. It can completely destroy families from the inside. Things like mental health issues, money problems and long term psychological effects are some of the main consequences of alcoholism. By reading up on some scholarly journals and taking experience from real life events it's clear to see that these effects are quite severe. To fully understand this topic, it needs to be understood that the issue of alcoholism cannot just be a personal problem. 

The emotional toll alcoholism has on family members is often devastating. Children in families with an alcoholic parent, for example, are at high risk for a range of mental issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop emotional or behavioral problems than those with non-alcoholic parents. (Edwards et al. 215). This is an insane jump!  In today’s world we don’t need to cause more stress in younger generations as it’s already at an all time high. Talking from my own self experience, this has definitely significantly affected me throughout my life, taking a toll on my mental health sending me into depression at times.

Depressed Child with alcoholic parents

Partners of alcoholics also often go through significant stress and emotional hardship. They may experience something known as "secondary alcoholism" or "codependency," in which they become emotionally tied to the alcoholic and feel obligated to manage their partner's drinking habits (Black 123). This creates a cycle where the spouse’s life revolves around the alcoholic, leading to self-neglect, burnout, and in more cases than not, mental health issues. The effect on the parent can also be seen by the child and send them deeper into their mental issues. I know I felt terrible for years watching my mom have to deal with my dad throughout spikes in his drinking.  

Alcoholism also often brings financial issues to families. Medical expenses, legal fees, job losses, and rehabilitation costs can quickly mount, leaving families in debt or financially unstable. Especially in today’s economy this can be a bigger deal than ever! For many families, these financial strains make it difficult to provide basic needs, let alone support their children at all. A journal in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that families with an alcoholic parent are more likely to face financial insecurity, which can cause more stress and dysfunction in the household (Smith et al. 768). Children that go through this kind of stress alongside their families can show clear signs of depression at young ages and in upcoming generations we don’t need to expedite the rate that mental health is declining.

Another immediately noticeable effect of alcoholism is social isolation. Families and family members may not go out to socialize or close themselves off because of embarrassment and or fear. 

Debt and Alcohol

Now you may say, ‘Why not just leave them behind?’. Well it cannot be that simple. If there are children involved it may cause more mental harm to leave the person behind more than the alcoholism itself is already doing. Things like money and connections also can’t be severed as easily as someone may think. That also implies that alcoholism is a personal problem only. This ignores the effects alcoholism can have on people close to the person dealing with it. Addiction isn’t that one sided, it affects everyone around the individual. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).

The effects of alcoholism on families are undeniable. It creates emotional, financial, and psychological problems that can change family dynamics and shape the lives of children long into adulthood. Research supports that without intervention, the trauma and negative outcomes associated with alcoholism are likely to persist across generations. Families dealing with alcoholism deserve not only compassion but access to resources that can help them heal and rebuild.