Given the current global situation, it’s important to be increasingly aware of the risks of alcoholism and its impact on family health. At this uncertain time, many families are confined and spending days, weeks, or months on end sharing the same space.
For this reason, it’s more important than ever to make sure that any struggling alcoholics and their family members are aware of the potential risks of alcoholism. If it’s not kept under control, alcoholism can ruin a family – but fortunately, there are several ways that you can prevent this from happening.
How Alcohol Changes an Individual’s Behavior
Alcohol is powerful enough that it can lead to negative changes even in the behavior of someone that you know and love. There are many things that alcohol is known to do. However, it’s important to note that the specific manifestations of these problems will often vary from person to person.
● Alcohol makes people emotionally unstable. While the particular way in which a person’s emotions will be altered depends on the individual, there’s no getting around the fact that alcohol leads to emotional instability.
Some people may become happy and elated when they’re drunk, only to become miserable and irritable once they’re hungover or in withdrawal. Other people are emotionally stable when they’re sober but become angry or violent when they’re drunk.
● Alcohol increases the risk of violence. Alcohol reduces a person’s inhibitions and makes them more likely to act out on impulse. If someone becomes irritable or angry, or if a certain trauma or repressed memory is triggered, they are going to be more liable to become physically angry if they’re drunk.
● Alcohol leads to trust issues. People who are addicted to alcohol often find that they have to lie to cover up the seriousness of their addiction. This can lead to trust issues throughout the rest of the relationship – if they’re lying about their drinking, what else might they be lying about?
It’s important to note that many alcoholics begin to lie because they’re worried that they won’t be accepted if they open up about their problem. One way to discourage lying is to do your best to provide a loving and accepting environment.
Managing Alcohol-Related Family Problems
If you or your family has been affected by someone’s drinking, then it’s important to make sure that you do your best to overcome these problems. Unfortunately, you may not even know where to begin.
One of the first things that you can do is reach out and seek the assistance of a rehab group, facility, or clinic. A rehab facility will help you and your family learn about how you can best move forward. They will also be able to help the struggling alcoholic overcome their issues.
Written by Nigel Ford
