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Many people enjoy an occasional drink and are able to stop drinking alcohol without any problems. It does not interfere with their day-to-day lives and they are able to have a healthy relationship with alcohol.
But what happens when you or a loved one is not able to stop drinking? How severe is their alcohol misuse? Knowing the difference between someone who likes to drink and someone who can’t stop drinking can help you determine what to do.
There are many different levels and types of drinking styles. Moderate alcohol use is most likely not harmful, but approximately 18 million adult Americans suffer from an alcohol use disorder, or AUD. Alcohol use disorder is categorized by drinking that is harmful to a person and can range from mild to severe.
Someone may be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder if they abuse alcohol to the point of not being able to fulfill their work or school obligations, are unable to function normally without alcohol, require more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect or have legal problems due to alcohol abuse.
Other types of alcohol abuse that may not be diagnosable as AUD are binge drinking, problem drinking or self-medicating with alcohol. While someone may occasionally binge drink, characterized by having more than five drinks for men and four drinks for women in a two-hour period, it does not mean they meet the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder. However, this behavior can lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder if continued.
There are specific signs to look for if you think someone may be an alcoholic. It is important to note the frequency, intensity and effect of someone’s drinking to determine if they are an alcoholic. These signs include:
Codependency is a psychological condition or relationship where a person has an unhealthy attachment to another person, who is often controlling or manipulative. The person who is codependent may have low self-esteem and a strong desire for approval from others.
This type of relationship is common among partnerships where one or both people have a substance use disorder, including alcohol. This behavior can come in many different dynamics and affect spouses, parents, children, friends and other family members of alcoholics.
Codependent behavior among alcoholics and their families can cause the problem to be ignored, prolonging unhealthy dynamics in that family. A codependent person in a relationship with an alcoholic may ignore their own needs and put all the focus on the addicted person. Their identity begins to revolve around that person and both people may form an unhealthy attachment to one another. They also may blame themselves for the other person’s addiction.
Studies have shown that spouses of alcoholics are the most affected by their spouse’s addictive behaviors. Spouses of alcoholics can experience various emotional states, including guilt, shame, anger, fear, grief and isolation. Living with an alcoholic can cause anxiety, depression and poor self-esteem.
There is also a risk of domestic and emotional violence when spending time with an alcoholic spouse. Other domestic issues include financial stress, job loss and the burden of the entire family falling on the other spouse.
One in five children in the U.S. grew up with an alcoholic relative in their home, with many experiencing some form of abuse or neglect related to alcohol consumption. Children who grew up with alcoholic parents are at a higher risk for mental health disorders and four times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder themselves.
Common behavior seen in children of alcoholics include:
Adult children of alcoholics also report having difficulty in relationships and struggle with alcohol as well.
It can be difficult to parent a child who is struggling with an alcohol use disorder, and it can become even more complicated if the child is over the age of 18. A parent has more influence on treatment options for a minor, but once they are 18, someone cannot be forced to participate in treatment.
Parents may also enable their adult child by supporting them financially, making excuses for their addiction or hiding their behavior from friends and family.
Addiction and alcoholism are family diseases because they affect the entire family, not just the person who is engaging in addictive behaviors. Family members tend to adopt unhealthy roles within the family dynamic to help themselves cope with the stress of living with an alcoholic.
The addict is the person who is engaging in addictive behavior and becomes the focus of the family and main source of stress.
The enabler is the person who tries to cover up the alcoholic’s behaviors and take responsibility for them. They usually will make excuses for the person with a substance use disorder and try to keep everyone happy. By not making the person take responsibility for their actions, they are helping them continue their destructive behaviors.
The hero tries to maintain the appearance that their family is “normal.” The hero is normally seen as over-responsible or a perfectionist. There can be a lot of pressure on the hero to be the “golden child” which can lead to a different kind of struggle.
The scapegoat is the opposite of the hero in a family dynamic. They are the “problem child” who distracts the family from the person with a substance use disorder. The scapegoat is an outlet for the family to direct some of their anger and frustration while neglecting the real problem.
The mascot is the family member who tries to lighten the situation through humor. They may try to prevent moments of discomfort that the person with an alcohol use disorder may cause.
The lost child gets lost in the chaos and essentially slips into the background. They stay out of everyone’s way and try to avoid interaction and potential conflict with the rest of the family.
Understanding how to handle alcoholism in your family can be difficult, but there are things you can do to help create boundaries with this person while maintaining your own mental health:
We can help answer your questions and talk through any concerns.
Talking to a friend or loved one about their drinking habits can be scary, but there are some ways you can prepare to help the conversation go as smoothly as possible:
Loved ones who are struggling with alcohol addiction often believe these seven myths about alcohol rehab. Have the facts and your preferred addiction treatment program ready before starting the conversation about rehab.
If you have a loved one who is suffering from alcoholism and you need support, there are many resources out there. There are support groups for people whose friends or family live with an alcohol use disorder, and individual therapy helps develop and promote coping skills for handling an alcoholic family member.
Al-Anon is a support group for people with an alcohol use disorder, and for those who are affected by someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon meetings are encouraged for people who have a family member who is an alcoholic and use the bond of a collective experience to help support one another.
ACOA, or Adult Children of Alcoholics, is a support group specifically for children of parents with an alcohol use disorder. ACOA is a traditional twelve-step program for people who grew up with alcoholic adults in their home. The three pillars of ACOA are:
If you prefer a more individual and private approach to getting support for coping with an alcoholic in your life, individualized therapy is a great option. The Nobu app can connect you with a therapist for a fee. The Nobu App also has many free resources to help you cope with an alcoholic family member.
Many counties and states offer addiction education courses for families to help them better understand addiction, including alcohol use disorder. They are taught by licensed professionals and include topics on understanding addiction, how addiction affects a family and how to get a plan in place. This can be helpful for families who want a more in depth understanding of addiction.
Once a family member agrees that they need treatment for their alcohol use disorder, it may be overwhelming to understand where to start. The level of treatment needed depends on the severity of alcohol use and their willingness to participate.
There are various differing treatment options available to someone who is looking to get help for their alcohol use disorder. Depending on what is available in your area, inpatient and outpatient options can be considered.
If you are looking at alcohol rehab treatment options, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is a multidisciplinary facility that offers a full continuum of care in alcohol use disorder treatment. The levels of care include:
Depending on the level of care, indoor and outdoor amenities at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake include but are not limited to:
The staff is comprised of physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians and many others.
If you suspect a family member is abusing alcohol, contact the admissions team at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake today.
Because alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous – and even kill you – make sure you have medical advice from your doctor or a rehab facility when you decide to stop drinking.
There are many misconceptions about alcoholism that make it sound like an alcoholic is an easy person to spot, however, many alcoholics function effectively and lead relatively normal lives.
An alcohol abuse problem can include binge drinking, having negative consequences such as hangovers with your drinking but continuing anyway, and drinking despite the desire to stop.
In a recent study by The Recovery Village, 44% of respondents reported abusing alcohol in an attempt to ease uncomfortable feelings that stem from underlying anxiety.
Drinking more than three drinks in a single sitting will temporarily cause your blood pressure to rise, but extended binge drinking or regular alcohol consumption can cause a permanent increase in blood pressure.
National Library of Medicine. “Alcohol Use Disorder.” MedlinePlus, February 3, 2022. Accessed March 27, 2022.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.” April 2021. Accessed March 27, 2022.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Drinking Levels Defined.” Accessed March 27, 2022.
Harvard Health Publishing. “Alcohol Use Disorder (Alcoholism).” Harvard Medical School, April 24, 2019. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Merriam-Webster. “Codependency.” Merriam-Webster.com. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Mental Health America (MHA). “Co-Dependency.” 2022. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Sharma, N; Sharma, S; et al. “Living with an alcoholic partner: Proble[…]f alcoholic clients.” Industrial Psychiatry Journal, January 2016. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Homish, GG; Leonard, KE; et al. “Alcohol use, alcohol problems, and depre[…]wly married couples.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, July 27, 2006. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Hendrickson, B. “Parental Alcoholism on Attachment within[…]ic Relationships.” St. Catherine University, May 2016. Accessed March 27, 2022.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology. “Children of Alcoholics.” December 2011. Accessed March 27, 2022.
Kearns-Bodkin, JN; Leonard, KE. “Relationship functioning among adult children of alcoholics.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, November 2008. Accessed March 27, 2022.
University Of Pennsylvania Health System. “Stairway to Recovery: Enabling Behaviors.” 2003. Accessed March 26, 2022.
Alvernia University. “Coping with Addiction: 6 Dysfunctional Family Roles.” Accessed March 27, 2022.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Alcohol Use: Conversation Starters.” MyHealthfinder, December 2, 2021. Accessed March 27, 2022.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.