The destructive impact of alcoholism on the patient's family

It is said that alcoholism is a disease of the whole family. Even when addiction affects only one person, its consequences leave a huge mark on those closest to them. The damage caused by alcohol can be observed in various areas of family functioning: primarily emotional, but also financial or social. In today's article, we take a closer look at how alcoholism can affect the patient's close environment.

About 3-4 million Poles live in families with alcohol problems

Data on the prevalence of alcoholism are not optimistic. The occurrence of alcoholism in the immediate vicinity is a problem for up to 4 million Poles. To make matters worse, 1.5 to 2 million children are brought up in an alcoholic family. Specialists alarm that more than half of these children are in a situation that significantly threatens their development and health. What are the consequences of living in a family with an alcohol problem?

The problem of codependency in alcoholic families

Codependency is a phenomenon that most often affects the partner of an alcoholic. The basis of codependency is the development of destructive adaptation mechanisms, which are aimed at maintaining the relationship with the alcoholic, and most often also stabilizing the family situation.

The everyday life of a codependent person focuses on the partner's alcohol problem. Such a person tries to control his problem, and at the same time takes responsibility for it and tries to reduce the negative effects of addiction. A co-dependent person often maintains and deepens the patient's alcohol addiction, although he does it unintentionally and unconsciously.

A person affected by codependency lives in chronic stress, fear and a sense of powerlessness. It is not uncommon for her to feel guilt and shame for her difficult family situation. Negative emotions can contribute to the development of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. It is worth remembering that the alcoholic's relatives can take advantage of the free help of specialists in one of the Addiction and Co-addiction Therapy Clinics.

The influence of parental alcoholism on the child

It is emphasized that children living in alcoholic families quickly learn three basic rules: don't talk, don't trust and don't feel. The lack of a sense of security, as well as functioning in chronic stress and uncertainty, make the child develop adaptation mechanisms. Particularly often, children growing up in a family with an alcohol problem unconsciously assume specific roles. In the scientific literature, the most common are:

• family hero - usually the oldest child who tries to take over the duties of a parent and improve the functioning of the whole family. He often acts more mature than his age, taking on tasks beyond his abilities.
• scapegoat - this is a child who presents dysfunctional behavior, such as learning problems, running away from home, frequent fights or using drugs, mainly in order to attract attention. This is often the reason for diverting attention from the problem of alcoholism in the family and venting frustration and anger on the child.
• a lost child - a sensitive child who tries to isolate himself from his family, especially from a parent with an alcohol problem. He often has problems in contacts with peers, which is why he is usually lonely and escapes into the world of fantasy or his own interests.
• mascot – this is usually the role taken by the youngest child who tries to relieve the tense atmosphere at home. He draws attention to himself through laughter or jokes, and often tries to improve the mood of the alcoholic parent.

ACoA syndrome - distant consequences of raising a child in a family with an alcohol problem

Growing up in a family with an alcohol problem affects not only childhood, but also later adult life. In a significant percentage of people, the alcoholism of one of the parents leads to the development of the ACoA syndrome, i.e. the Adult Child of Alcoholics. Growing up in a harsh environment leads to the development of characteristic features such as low self-esteem, the need for control, excessive protectiveness and fear of rejection. People with ACoA syndrome often also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders.

The basis of the fight against alcohol is addiction therapy

Alcoholism, like any other disease, requires appropriate treatment. The method with the greatest proven effectiveness is addiction psychotherapy, which focuses primarily on the causes of alcohol addiction and developing appropriate mechanisms for dealing with addiction. However, initiation of therapy and its continuation requires the patient to maintain abstinence, which is usually a great challenge for him.

Anti-alcohol implant as a support in maintaining long-term abstinence

Is there a way to help an alcohol dependent person stay abstinent? In the case of an alcoholic starting addiction treatment, an anti-alcohol implant is a good idea. Although this method is not effective in self-treatment of alcoholism, it is a good support for people motivated to fight addiction. How exactly does the implant work?

The implant is a sterile tablet which, implanted under the skin, gradually releases the active substance into the bloodstream. In the case of alcoholism, the active substance is esperal, which inhibits the metabolism of alcohol at its key stage. Consumption of only a small amount of alcohol then results in a sharp increase in the concentration of acetaldehyde. The patient then develops symptoms of poisoning, which include, among others:

• facial flushing;
• hot flashes;
• excessive sweating;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headaches and dizziness;
• fear and anxiety;
• drop in blood pressure;
• increase in heart rate;
• palpitations.

Troublesome ailments make the alcoholic fear the consequences of reaching for the substance. It is therefore a kind of bogeyman that is supposed to force abstinence on the patient.

KacDoktor - a safe alcohol withdrawal in Warsaw

Do you have a problem with alcohol and are planning to start treatment? Or maybe you already attend therapy, but it's hard for you to maintain total abstinence? If you think that the anti-alcohol implant is a method that can help you, you are in the right place! Our experienced specialists will answer all your questions and dispel your doubts about this solution. At KacDoktor, we help not only in the treatment of hangovers and breaking alcoholic benders, but we also specialize in anti-alcohol implants.

How to use our services? All you have to do is call us and together we will set a convenient time for you. The procedure is performed in our modern clinic in the center of Warsaw. Our doctors make sure that the visit is completely safe and comfortable, which is why the procedure is carried out with the use of local anesthesia and under the cover of an antibiotic.

Don't let alcohol destroy you and your family. Anti-alcohol implant will help you in the first months of sobriety.