Alcohol Addictions in the Family

Alcohol addiction in the family is considered present when at least one family member suffers from an alcohol use disorder. It is now well recognized that alcohol addiction affects not only the afflicted individual but also the health and well-being of others in the family system of the alcoholic individual. Indeed, some of the most deleterious effects of alcohol misuse are saved for family members who often do not even drink, including spouses and children. Alcoholism and family functioning are linked via complex genetic, psychological, and social pathways. Several family problems may [Page 46]co-occur with or be exacerbated by alcoholism, including poor communication and problem solving, inconsistency and unpredictability, high conflict and low relationship satisfaction, intimate partner violence, economic vulnerability, and poor psychosocial adjustment of ...