Sofia von Humboldt

Drowning in Disease

Effects of Alcoholism on Families

Briana Gibbens, Reporter

November 10, 2023

Opinion

Alcoholism is a disease that most people suffer from. There is a way to seek help but most people don’t.

Alcohol misuse can destroy family relationships and drive a wedge between its members who misuse alcohol may blow through the family budget, cause fights, ignore children and otherwise impair the health and happiness of the people they love. Alcoholism is a disease that most people suffer from. There is a way to seek help but most people don’t.

Every child of alcoholic parents have suffered in some capacity, either by neglect, physical abuse or just feeling utterly embarrassed of having anybody over because most of the time they’re passed out on the floor.

”I feel ashamed of my mother’s drinking problem. I’ve tried everything I could to help her face her demons but it’s not enough. I’m not enough,” an anonymous source said.

Most teens struggling with alcoholic family members have learned how to hide their feelings when they’re at home or at school; they never show their true feelings out in public unless it’s just too much to keep it in any longer. The mental strain can just be too much for one person to go through alone, especially young adults.

When people are emotionally isolated, they keep their feelings completely to themselves, are unable to receive emotional support from others, feel “shut down” or numb.

“We argue about this so much that it’s just a day to day thing now. I’ve gotten so used to it over the years to the arguing and the fights, that I think it’s a normal thing,” another anonymous source said.

Many teens or young adults can’t even express how this disease affects their mental health; they’re so used to this feeling alone.

“I can’t even tell you how badly this affects my mental health in words other than that, it’s the biggest strain in my life,” a third anonymous said.

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Even when they do try and talk to their alcoholic guardian, it never really goes the way that they hope. They either get shut out, guilt tripped, or ignored by the alcoholic parent.

“I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to talk about her problems and how it affects me but nothing ever changes. Nothing I say nor do does anything. It really doesn’t help that much, it’s like I’m completely ignored,” a fourth anonymous source said.

Most children of alcoholic parents tend to be terrified of becoming their parents.

“I’m terrified of the fact that I might end up like my mother, an alcoholic that doesn’t care about her children and how they feel,” a fifth anonymous source said. “I don’t want to end up destroying my future family.”

How alcoholism can destroy families:

Their parents don’t look after them and the child misses school or doesn’t do homework on time or at all
Their parents neglect them and the child doesn’t get fed well, have suitable clean clothes or have an appropriate bedtime
They’re not comfortable inviting friends home and they become isolated
They take on caring roles and look after younger brothers and sisters, or they’re responsible for the home
They experience emotional and physical abuse

Alcoholism causes neglect of important duties: alcohol impairs one’s cognitive functions and physical capabilities, and this, at some point, will likely result in neglect of responsibilities associated with work, home life and/or school.

Needing time to nurse hangovers: Alcohol has various short-term side effects, such as hangovers. The physical state of a hangover may be temporary, but it can significantly disrupt a person’s ability to meet commitments as well as invite unhealthy behaviors, such as poor eating and a lack of exercise.
Encountering legal problems: Drinking can increase a person’s likelihood of getting into fights, displaying disorderly conduct in public, driving under the influence, and becoming involved in domestic disputes or violence.
The inability to stop at will: Alcohol is an addictive substance and can lead to physical dependence.

Alcoholism affects family members by destroying the family unit. It’s simple, alcoholism is a disease. It is a shame that teens of alcoholics go through this. Nobody should have to feel alone or feel isolated in their own home.

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