Children of alcoholics are at risk from two different fronts. The first results from being raised around alcohol and by an alcoholic while the second risk comes from the genetic aspects of what causes someone to become an alcoholic. Regardless of whether children of alcoholics are raised by alcoholics, they are at risk for alcoholism or alcoholism-related problems. Children of alcoholics may exhibit some of the following characteristics:
* Higher risk for alcohol and other drug problems
* Pervasive tension and stress
* Higher levels of anxiety and depression
* Poor performance in school
Alcohol misuse in the work environment is becoming an increasingly growing problem. It is important to realize that alcoholism does not discriminate and affects people of all social and economic situations. It is commonly thought that alcoholics are unemployable however, it has been estimated that 75% of alcoholics are employed full-time. Some studies suggest that alcohol may be the cause of 25% of accidents in the workplace. Additionally, the cost from loss of productivity and absenteeism has been estimated in the billions of dollars range.
Children who live with or come in close contact with Alcoholics experience the consequences of the disease up close and at times in a very person manner. They witness the destruction, the out of control behavior and the aftermath of the drinking events. They, especially if very young, will feel helpless to stop or control the actions or consequences of the Alcoholic. Children, who rely on the alcoholic for their care, may often have to wait until the person recovers from bouts of uncontrolled drinking before they can eat, or receive other basic care. Often there are financial consequences of drinking such as destruction of property, or loss of money that directly affects the children in the household. The old adage that “children see, children do”, applies to the drinking of alcohol. When children are exposed to those who accept using alcohol as a means to cope with life, they will likely learn to copy the attitudes and behaviors of those they live with or those who they are exposed to on a consistent basis. These people include:
Alcoholism affects many different people of all shapes, size, ages, races, and circumstances. Likewise, the various treatment modalities for alcoholism also come in different shapes and sizes. There are treatment centers in every state and within them are programs for people from all walks of life. One of the most popular treatment centers is the Betty Ford Center that was organized by the former First Lady of the United States, Betty Ford, after her own journey with alcoholism and recovery. Treatment centers also tend to combine several treatment modalities in an effort to assist the alcoholic in the recovery process. The different treatments can include behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, hypnosis, twelve step programs, nutritional therapy, detoxification, group therapy, and medications.
What is the overall outlook of alcoholism on average? What basic information would be useful to consider? Take a look at this information and decide what you need to research further.
Some information shows that with Americans somewhere around 12-14 million would be medically considered to have a drinking disorder. While an estimated 17% or more Americans have abused alcohol in their lifetime thus far. Furthermore, many adult drinkers believe that they have a relative who has a drinking condition.
The resulting health problems from drinking in the United States can lead to an overall increase in hospital stays among problem drinkers and there are deaths in the million related to excessive drinking.
Alcoholism can be defined as, “A disease that includes the craving for alcohol and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job, or getting into trouble with the law.” Alcoholism is often referred to as “alcohol dependence syndrome” and the four main characteristics of it are craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance.
When you live with an alcoholic in your life, you have to change the way you live. You have to change the way you keep your house stocked with beverages. You have to realize that having alcohol in the home is a thing of the past. An alcoholic does not care where the drink comes from as long as they can drink it. This is hard to understand for many people. If you do not have a drinking problem, but enjoy a drink occasionally, you will have to make some changes. The sad thing is that you may have to be the one to hide the alcohol.
Holidays happen most every month, if not national ones, than personal ones like birthdays, job-related celebrations, anniversaries, and birthdays. These are all events where alcohol may be a part of the scene and a temptation to the person trying to manage the disease, alcoholism. This is an especially trying time of year for someone struggling with alcohol dependency, because alcohol is a traditionally expected part of some celebrations. Where that fact may have been a happy one while partaking of alcoholic drinks; as someone who cannot partake, it can be a nightmare.
Living with an alcoholic can be hard enough with the drinking, but if the alcoholic also lies and is deceitful, it can makes things worst. You have to wonder which part of the conversation is a lie and which part is the truth. You may find out things that you wish you never heard, but the truth is that an alcoholic can lie and not even bat an eyelash. Not all alcoholics are deceitful and lie, but most are at some point in their lives. You really have to be strong to live with an alcoholic. You have to be in love to go through all of the problems that come with an alcoholic.
Alcohol is a drug that elicits a pleasure response in the human brain, which in return causes addiction to that substance. Alcoholism is an extremely difficult addiction to recover from. One question that many people ask is “why do people begin drinking to begin with”? There are many things that are pleasurable but people do not become addicted to them. Alcohol has an attraction that, for many people, cannot be easily overcome. There are many reasons given as to why people begin drinking.
