A family faced with alcohol dependence of its member most often does not take any action to solve the problem. This is mainly due to the lack of knowledge about co dependency of all people living under one roof with the addict. The spouse/partner as well as children of the addicted individual feel shame as they are blamed by the person abusing alcohol for the situation, and that hinders or cripples any attempts to solve the problem. Times of drinking and associated fighting, aggression and violence are interspersed with “honeymoon like periods”, so family members are convinced that one day the addiction will end and “things will somehow turn out right”. It is not only the drinking person but also his/her closest relatives who deny there is a problem if the fact is pointed out and confirmed by anyone outside the family. Despite the suffering and damage caused by the lack of the drinking person’s concern for his/her family as well as his/her absence and disengagement from the daily routines, the spouse/partner and the children put on “masks” and claim there is no problem. The greatest tragedy of children living in a family with a drinking problem is the fact that, without being aware of it, they continue to play the same roles in their adult life, as ACA. An addicted person may decide to stop drinking only if they admit full responsibility for the effects of their own lack of control over drinking which leads to significant damage on a personal and family level, exposing everyone to suffering and harm. Of great importance in motivating an alcoholic to remain sober is a short family intervention during a meeting in a group of people significant for the addict. The essence of co dependency may be explained using a case study showing the attempts made by a wife trying to justify behaviours of her husband who abuses alcohol.
Effects of Depression, Anxiety, and Alcohol Abstinence Self-efficacy on Drinking Problem among College Students : Health and Welfare Department Students
