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Effects of Alcohol on the Family

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Effects of Alcohol on the Family
Alcohol Dependence, also known as alcoholism, is a very widespread disabling addictive disorder, affecting 4% of Canadians. Alcoholism may start innocuously, due to the acceptability of social drinking, but over time, can lead to serious health problems, including brain, kidney and liver damage. Although alcoholics seem to be doing the most damage to themselves, they are hurting their families even more. Lesser-known, but just as serious victims of alcohol abuse are the alcoholics’ children. The negative effects start in the womb, where drinking during pregnancy often causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and other defects. After the baby is born, the risks continue, as the children in alcoholic families tend to lack a stable family environment and have a fairly high rate of abuse. These factors, as well as genetic predisposition, are strong precedents to the child developing alcohol abuse problems themselves. These children also tend to show more symptoms of anxiety and depression, and have lower self esteem than children from nonalcoholic families. These factors may also contribute to the likelihood of the child becoming an alcoholic.

When a few drinks has turned into a few too many, a few too many times, some may start to suspect alcoholism. This is often how alcohol abuse starts, with acceptable social drinking increasing to the point where the drinker can no longer control their desire and compulsion to drink. Drinking too much alcohol over a long period changes the chemical balance in the brain linked to pleasure, causing the body to crave alcohol. Symptoms of alcoholism are frequent intoxication; drinking and continuing to drink alcohol in appropriate places and times; and often, denial of the problem. Due to the legality and availability of alcohol, it can be very difficult to quit or help another quit drinking, which can result in long-term alcohol abuse. When one has been abusing alcohol for long periods of time, it can cause a number of mental and


References: Alcoholics Anonymous. "Alcoholics Anonymous: This is AA." Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., 2010. Web. 28 Nov 2010. . Alcoholics Anonymous. "Alcoholics Anonymous: Is There an Alcoholic in Your Life?." Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., 2010. Web. 28 Nov 2010. . Widom, Cathy Spatz, and Susanne Hiller-Sturmhöfel. "Alcohol Abuse as a Risk Factor for and Consequence of Child Abuse." Alcohol research & health: the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 25.1 (2001): 52-57. Print. Alcoholic.ca. "Alcoholism and Suicide." Alcoholic and Alcohol Treatment in Canada. Alcoholic.ca, 2009. Web. 29 Nov 2010. . Alcoholic.ca. "Alcoholic and Alcohol Treatment." Alcoholic and Alcohol Treatment in Canada. Alcoholic.ca, 2009. Web. 29 Nov 2010. . Dozois, David, and Philip Firestone. Abnormal Psychology. 4th Ed., Perspectives. Toronto, Canada: Pearson Education Canada, 2010. 254. Print. Brooke, S, et al. "Familial Loading for Alcoholism and Offspring Behavior: Mediating and Moderating Influences." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 34.11 (2010): 1980-1981. Web. 28 Nov 2010. . Petrakis, Ismene L, et al. "Comorbidity of Alcoholism and Psychiatric Disorders: An Overview." Alcohol research & health: the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 26.2 (2002): 81-89. Print. Davis, Janet Haggerty, and Wendy Autumn Frost. "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Challenge for the Community Health Nurse." Journal of Community Health Nursing. 1.2 (1984): 100-101. Print.
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