When you hear the word alcohol, what comes to mind? I'm sure partying, dancing with friends, and maybe regretful decisions are some of the first thoughts that pop up in your mind, but the effects of alcohol surely do not stop there. Alcohol abuse is becoming more and more common throughout the world, and it not only impacts the person drinking but also everyone around them. With that being said, an increase in support outlets such as AA or Al-anon needs to put in place, as well as more increased support outlets and opportunities for those who are going through addiction or for the family members of addicts.
Researchers have had an increased focus on the family members of addicts, stating that "they often live in stressful circumstances and have lots of worries that frequently lead to poorer physical and mental health as well as lower quality of life compared to the general population." Growing up in a household that struggles with addiction has a huge impact on the family dynamic, and can definitely negatively impact children's outlook on alcohol and even substances in general. Being around something constantly can convince your brain that it is okay, which may cause problems in the future. Also, with genetics and alcoholism having a 50-60% risk factor, it is especially important to keep that in mind as kids get older and become exposed to more and more things, especially as teenagers.
The effects of addiction on children are extremely prevalent, especially in the child's day to day life. An article by Nzinga Harrison discusses the extensive effects addiction has on kids, stating "For many children, they have difficulty expressing their emotions about how addiction impacts their lives. As a result, they learn to cope in a variety of ways. They may take on more responsibility, acting as a parental figure with their siblings and friends. They may become 'overachievers' in school and extracurriculars. For some, the unresolved feelings from childhood may end up manifesting as an adult." Some of the other impacts she talked about were Depression, Anxiety, Guilt, Self Blame, and even Embarrassment. Growing up in an environment that exhibits dependent behavior to something can also increase the chances of substance abuse and codependency in future relationships in adulthood. Addiction center states children with alcoholic parents are 4 times as likely to engage in excessive drinking at some point in their life.
Although the short term effects of alcohol are widely acknowledged in our country, many people have the mindset that they could never become addicted to something, and they have the ability to stop whenever they want. Although this is the case for lots of people who like to enjoy alcohol simply on the weekends or at a special event, there is no determining factor for who can become dependent on a substance and who cannot. With alcohol also becoming so normalized throughout the US, such as in college settings or the routine of people pouring themselves a drink after work, it is difficult for people to see the longterm effects of alcohol in the moment. Statistics surrounding alcoholism show that " More than 6 percent of adults in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder" and "An additional 623,000 people between the ages of 12 and 17 have alcohol use disorders." In addition to this, alcohol is the 4th leading cause of death that is preventable, according to NIH.
So, what are the strategies we can use to reduce alcoholism? Although it is up to the person struggling with addiction to get help, there are numerous ways to provide support to anyone struggling with alcoholism or substance abuse disorder. Remind them how much they mean to you, and that you are proud of them for taking steps in their recovery. Giving constant reassurance is a good way to show that you see their efforts and strength throughout an incredibly difficult process. Be sure not to shame the person for their addiction or decisions they've made because of it, encouragement is the best way to ensure they are doing good and can keep doing it. If you are a loved one of someone struggling with addiction, participating in Al-Anon is a good way to hear others stories who are going through very similar things to you while also simultaneously receiving support and advice on your own circumstance. Similar to AA, they do have a sponsor program which allows you to talk to someone on a regular basis outside of the group meetings. As well as keeping them supported, you must maintain support for yourself as well.
Addiction has been around for centuries, and will not vanish anytime soon. However, recognizing the risk factors and importance of acknowledging substance abuse as a whole is one of the first steps in making a big change in not only in the numbers of families living through addiction, but also the numbers of anyone who may be struggling through addiction in general. Keeping yourself educated on addiction and prioritizing your own safety and health is the most important thing to do. We lose too many people every year to the long term effects of something that gives you short term bliss.
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