If one were to define alcoholism, he or she might state that alcoholism is a disease in which those who are affected may have an uncontrollable desire to drink and an overwhelming obsession with alcohol. Those who are directly affected by the alcoholic’s drinking may have a completely different definition. For these people, to define alcoholism into one single sentence would be preposterous to say the least. For many, the detrimental effects of their parents or loved ones drinking started when they were just a child and now has carried with them into adulthood. According to Fredricksen (2008), “Nineteen million American children are exposed to an alcoholic family member before the age of 18 that is one in four children” (pg. 15). Adult children
…show more content…
Alcoholism is a disease, but like measles and chickenpox, it is not seen outwardly. When you break out in spots all over your body it is clear that something is wrong; however, with alcoholism it is much harder to see how the nature of the addiction is affecting the body physically (Shuker, 1993, pg. 9). It is as also important to realize that alcoholism is a disease that affects the whole family and not just the alcoholic. The alcoholic’s desire and uncontrollable need to drink may take a back seat to those who love them. Although, the alcoholic may love their family and want to stop drinking the desire to drink is so overwhelming they neglect their family in the process. Children who lack parental role models at a critical stage in their life will be set adrift in a sea of confusion (Forward, 1989, pg. 32). It is easy for a child to be guided on the wrong path and then fall victim to the same disease of alcoholism that they tried so desperately to …show more content…
As a child, they may have felt helpless and powerless that they were not able to help control or stop their parents drinking. They may now feel that they will be able to control their spouse and help them stop drinking. Many adult children of alcoholics are attracted to people and situations where they can be perceived as the rescuer of someone needing help (Wholey, 1988, pg. 158). People who seek this type of relationship are commonly referred to as co-dependents. Just like an alcoholic is dependent on alcoholic the co-dependent is addicted to fixing or making the alcoholic they love less dependent on alcohol for the better. For many, if they are not able to control the alcoholic’s drinking; they may then become an enabler. Instead of stopping their loved one from drinking they may actually help them by buying them the alcohol or making excuses for them as to why they drink. No matter which scenario the struggle of growing up in an alcoholic home and now being married to an alcoholic is overwhelming. The good news is that there is help out there for them if they should want
Alcoholism is a disease, but like measles and chickenpox, it is not seen outwardly. When you break out in spots all over your body it is clear that something is wrong; however, with alcoholism it is much harder to see how the nature of the addiction is affecting the body physically (Shuker, 1993, pg. 9). It is as also important to realize that alcoholism is a disease that affects the whole family and not just the alcoholic. The alcoholic’s desire and uncontrollable need to drink may take a back seat to those who love them. Although, the alcoholic may love their family and want to stop drinking the desire to drink is so overwhelming they neglect their family in the process. Children who lack parental role models at a critical stage in their life will be set adrift in a sea of confusion (Forward, 1989, pg. 32). It is easy for a child to be guided on the wrong path and then fall victim to the same disease of alcoholism that they tried so desperately to …show more content…
As a child, they may have felt helpless and powerless that they were not able to help control or stop their parents drinking. They may now feel that they will be able to control their spouse and help them stop drinking. Many adult children of alcoholics are attracted to people and situations where they can be perceived as the rescuer of someone needing help (Wholey, 1988, pg. 158). People who seek this type of relationship are commonly referred to as co-dependents. Just like an alcoholic is dependent on alcoholic the co-dependent is addicted to fixing or making the alcoholic they love less dependent on alcohol for the better. For many, if they are not able to control the alcoholic’s drinking; they may then become an enabler. Instead of stopping their loved one from drinking they may actually help them by buying them the alcohol or making excuses for them as to why they drink. No matter which scenario the struggle of growing up in an alcoholic home and now being married to an alcoholic is overwhelming. The good news is that there is help out there for them if they should want