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Impact of Alcoholism on the Family Unit

The purpose of this paper is to discuss alcoholism and how it impacts the family unit. The abuse an alcohol-dependent member inflicts on the family is only now coming to the forefront in society. Life-long relationships, as well as the financial stability of the unit and the health of all members are affected as a result of this insidious substance.

The public is just learning how dangerous heavy drinking is and, simultaneously, putting behind the notion that alcoholic amounts to just odd and strange behavior. Since 1935 the members of Alcoholics Anonymous have been telling society about the seriousness of alcoholism; Al-Anon has made public the news that relatives and friends of drinkers can suffer along with the alcoholic and The Children of Alcoholics (COA) have brought new insight into its effects on the more than twenty-eight million Americas who have seen at least one parent succumb to the disease (Leershsen, 1988, p. 62).

When an individual becomes dependent on alcohol, his/her actions or defenses are troublesome because they invade the autonomy of others, merging boundaries just like infants merge boundaries with their mothers (Maxwell, 1986, p. 70). Alcoholics do not live in isolation. Their lives are intertwined with those of others, all of whom - friends, family members, co-workers, fellow students - are seriously affected by the problems that accompany the addiction. Alcohol abuse disrupts family life and alienates close friends and relatives.

On the other band, the different members of an addict's family also play a role in the life of the abuser. They may act as the support system that helps to rescue his/her from total ruin or the vehicle that drives the addict more deeply toward self-destruction. The relationships in any family setting that includes an abuser are sensitive and complex. Understanding what happens is an important part in learning how problems might be treated.

The term "homeostasi...

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Impact of Alcoholism on the Family Unit. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:52, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1681769.html