Addiction – a family disease

Alcoholism is referred to as a “family disease” because it affects the family as a whole and each member individually. Living in a home that is affected by addiction means living in a negative and unsafe environment filled with disruptions, strained relationships, lies and dishonesty.

While living as a part of a family, a change in any part of the family leads to change in all the parts of the system. For instance, in a family with an over-responsible or dominating parent the attitude and behaviour of the other family members are affected.

While a family member suffers from an addiction, they behave irresponsibly and act out. They create a stressful situation that affects others in the family and destabilizes the home, disrupts family life and relationships, messes up finances and causes mental, physical stress and emotional trauma. Without professional support and assistance, family members could face chronic and long-term disabilities in their lives.

The disease affects every member of the family and the way they live, their attitudes and behaviours and their way of thinking more distinctly than the addict. Successful recovery can involve educating the family, briefing the family of what a professional treatment plan would look like, introduction to Al-anon family support groups, counselling, communication exercises and participation in the recovery of the family member by establishing trust, managing stress, building healthy communication and eliminating enabling behaviour.