What to do if there is an alcoholic in the family

Alcoholism is a very terrible and severe addiction. According to various estimates, in Russia today there are 1.5 million patients diagnosed with alcoholism. We emphasize: these are only registered cases, that is, people who were treated. In reality, it’s easy to guess, the figure is many times higher. Alcohol addiction affects not only the person himself, but also many people around him - primarily his close people. Today we will talk about how to survive if there is an alcoholic in the family. We sincerely wish that none of our readers will find this knowledge useful in practice.

Genetic causes of alcohol dependence

Most research in this area shows that a person can inherit an unfavorable combination of different abnormalities in several genes. Scientists have determined that the risk of alcohol dependence increases significantly if the patient has a family history of alcoholics. Statistics confirm that alcoholism affects more than 25% of relatives of those families where this problem existed. The highest risk factor is for a child whose father or mother was an alcoholic. In the second degree of relationship, the risk is less pronounced, but also has a high percentage.

Predisposition to alcoholism can be identified by several indicators:

1. The presence in the family of at least 2 blood relatives suffering from alcoholism.
2. Early tobacco and alcohol abuse
3. Lack of attention to a child or adolescent.
4. Observation of minimal brain dysfunction syndrome in childhood.
5. A persistent feeling of mental dissatisfaction.
6. Reduced concentration of dopamine in the blood and urine.

Personal reasons for the development of alcohol dependence

1. Alcoholism is often subject to unstable and excitable psychopathic individuals who have a tendency to antisocial acts, impulsive actions and aggression, as well as individuals of the asthenic circle who, with the help of alcohol, try to increase tone, mood and increase performance.
2. Low resistance to stress and increased anxiety can also cause the development of alcoholism.
3. An inferiority complex, emotional instability, decreased communication skills, poor motivation for activity, decreased intelligence, lack of positive attitudes, signs of brain damage (trauma, nocturnal enuresis, speech defects), and an indifferent attitude to life often become the reason for drinking alcohol.

Social reasons for the development of alcoholism

The development of alcohol dependence is negatively influenced by the following factors: widespread advertising of alcoholic products, round-the-clock availability of alcoholic beverages, the presence of a large number of outlets that sell alcohol, affordability (especially vodka). The sale of illegal alcohol is very widespread. Existing customs and traditions of drinking alcohol also negatively affect society. People drink alcohol not only on holidays, but also on the slightest occasions. Table traditions involve the consumption of large quantities of alcoholic beverages. Social tolerance of drunkenness leads to further development of the disease. Unemployment is a very common reason for the development of this disease in men.

During a hangover

During this period, all alcoholics experience terrible torment, which, without exaggeration, can be called hellish. Headache, nausea, weakness are just the beginnings. Ninety-nine percent are mental experiences: terrible discomfort, inexplicable anxiety and causeless fear... Words cannot describe the whole gamut of these painful sensations. They are so painful that sometimes they even lead to suicide.

• You cannot force an alcoholic from trying to get a hangover. You cannot lock yourself in the apartment, hide keys, clothes, money. Instead, you just need to talk to him. Talk kindly. The way a doctor talks to a seriously ill patient. Suggest medications to treat withdrawal symptoms. It will be very useful here to attract close people - parents, brothers and sisters, true friends (but not drinking buddies).
• In a conversation, you cannot humiliate the patient, call him a drunk, convince him that he is a lost insignificant person (especially since this is really not the case, because everything can still be corrected). You need to reveal the bright prospects of a sober life, instill confidence that everything will work out and will be much better than before, and for this you just need to stay sober.
• It is strictly forbidden to follow the lead of an alcoholic and run to the store for a life-saving bottle of beer or a bottle of vodka. If he vows to stop drinking tomorrow, but now he only wants to improve his health so as not to die, this is 100% a lie.
• You cannot shield an alcoholic for what he did the day before - lie to the boss that his subordinate is sick, pay off debts to drinking buddies, etc. But there is no need to harm him either. Let the patient find a way out of the situation himself.
• If the craving for alcohol takes over, and the alcoholic finds a way to get drunk, everything will have to start all over again. But it's not that scary. Usually, binge drinking stops as soon as all the money runs out or the condition is so bad that it is not even possible to run to the store for booze. Therefore, there is another “no” - you cannot keep supplies of alcohol and money at home.

Family reasons for the development of alcoholism

Quite often, the development of the disease is influenced by the family environment. Parents do not prohibit teenagers from drinking low-alcohol drinks; alcohol is treated as a harmless product that can be taken every time to boost immunity. With this behavior, parents teach their child to regularly drink alcohol from birth. The disease can also arise due to poor upbringing. In alcoholic families, parents often make unfounded claims against their children, which subsequently negatively affects their psyche. After this, children develop negative forms of behavior that can cause addiction.

What can relatives do in this situation? First of all, you should clearly identify the reasons that led to the problem and try to eliminate them. If alcoholism began due to unemployment, try to help the person find a job or involve him in some way. If alcohol is taken due to loneliness, then try to communicate with the person more often, take him with you on walks, to sports clubs, etc.

It is very important at the first stage to eliminate all existing conflicts or protect the patient from them. Do not insult or call him a complete drunk or an alcoholic under any circumstances, this will only lower self-esteem and reduce the patient’s faith in recovery.

What can you do with your son if you notice an emerging addiction? Do not attack with accusations under any circumstances; try to explain to him the consequences of his addiction not through moralizing, but in a language accessible to him. Sometimes it’s even better to seek the help of a psychologist. All relatives should unite in solving this problem. After eliminating the causes that led to the development of the disease, it is necessary to outline treatment options.

The influence of a drinker on family life

As a rule, an alcoholic stubbornly denies his addiction and believes that no problem exists at all. Over time, emotional intimacy between spouses disappears. The addict’s behavior becomes illogical and sudden outbursts of aggression begin. A man can even resort to physical violence. Intimate relationships deteriorate. A woman stops trusting her husband, who is unable to take responsibility for his actions. And the most difficult thing in the current situation is for the children who live in this family.

The main stages of alcoholism treatment

1. Detoxification is a procedure that will relieve a hangover and bring a person out of binge drinking.
2. Elimination of health problems that arose during the period of alcohol addiction: treatment of the liver, digestive tract, cardiovascular system, etc.
3. Comprehensive treatment for alcohol addiction, which is aimed at developing a negative attitude towards alcohol: inducing disgust, relieving cravings, and creating a positive attitude towards a healthy, sober life.
4. Rehabilitation is the ability to appreciate positive changes and emotions in a new sober life, self-affirmation at work and in the family, self-determination as an individual (search for new interests, hobbies).

How to live with an unhealthy person

When a neighbor or a simple acquaintance suffers from alcoholism, we do not experience any anxiety. However, this misfortune can knock on any door. Life with an alcoholic is like a volcano: living together is dangerous and threatens to explode every minute. A drunkard can behave inappropriately, scaring his wife and children, take things out of the house to find money for drinking, and in some cases completely loses his human appearance and turns into a real beast.

What to do if there is an alcoholic in the family? First of all, don't hesitate to get help. A woman who wants to save her family should not let the situation take its course. How to deal with an alcoholic husband? You can try to talk with your spouse, explain that his marital status and the future of his children are at stake, and talk about the health problems that lie in wait. Quite often, men who have not yet completely succumbed to the “green serpent” can be brought to their senses with the help of persuasion.

The father is an alcoholic - grief in the family. In difficult situations, children suffer excessively from their father's drunkenness. It is unpleasant for them to see a parent in an inadequate state, to listen to his scandals with his mother, to see physical violence. In order not to harm the child’s psyche, a woman should entrust the situation to specialists. How to get rid of an alcoholic in the family?

Basic drug treatments for alcoholism

1. Medication methods are based on taking medications, after which, when alcohol appears in the body, the production of liver enzymes, which are responsible for the complete breakdown of ethyl alcohol, begins to be blocked. After this, acetaldehyde, which is very toxic, begins to accumulate in the patient’s blood. Therefore, the patient begins to experience very severe suffering, nausea, severe headaches, vomiting, tinnitus, blood pressure increases, vision decreases, blood begins to rush to the skin of the face, and suffocation may even occur. Once having experienced such a state, the alcoholic begins to fear such torment and possible death. Doctors warn in advance about such a terrible consequence. This is the basis of therapy.
2. “Infusion” is a method in which drugs from the disulfiram group are administered intravenously to the patient. Once the drug enters the body in combination with alcohol, it can lead to severe disorders. To convince the patient of this, he is offered a drink. For some, the effect is so impressive that they quit drinking immediately and forever. The disadvantage of this method is that the drug is quickly eliminated from the body and stops working. One procedure usually lasts 2-12 weeks. But if the alcoholic does not know this, the placebo effect begins to take effect.
3. “Filing” - a method based on the fact that capsules or tablets with drugs that cause an aversion to alcohol are implanted into the patient’s skin. The disadvantage of this method of treatment is the need for surgical intervention, however, compared to the previous method, it has a longer period of action - at least one year. If during this time the patient starts drinking alcohol again, this can lead to very serious consequences.
4. Chemical blockade - a preliminary conversation is held with the patient and written consent is written for the administration of the drug Benastim. This drug relieves cravings for alcohol and lasts for about 3.5 years.
5. Intramuscular administration of drugs such as Vivitrol, which reduce dependence on alcohol. The effectiveness of the drug is noticeable after the first injection. The method goes very well with psychotherapy.

Living with an alcoholic

When a lot of time and effort has been spent fighting alcoholism and binge drinking, the question arises: “Is it worth living with an alcoholic or not?

When a lot of time and effort has been spent fighting alcoholism and binge drinking, the question arises: “Is it worth living with an alcoholic or not?” Imagine a situation: every day you and your whole family are tense or stressed because you don’t know in what state your husband will come and whether he will come at all. The next point is violence. Even if the drinking person does not raise his hand, you will be mentally exhausted.

Important! According to statistics, 70% of those living under the same roof with an alcoholic suffer from neuroses.

Neuroses arise from a constant state of danger, because... you are not able to predict the behavior and actions of a drunk. As a result, wives completely focus on their husband’s problems, and children are left to their own devices. Children in this situation are constantly trapped in stress, which can cause problems within the family and worsen school performance. The next inevitable problem will be the financial side. Alcohol is not handed out for free on the street, and drinkers, as a rule, are not kept at work. And the most important loss is the emotional state.

For information! From forum entries “Life with an alcoholic is unbearable, sometimes it seems to me that I’m not living.” According to research by American psychologists, it was revealed that if there is at least one person dependent on alcohol in a family, all members automatically become dependent.

If you are still ready to continue the fight against the green snake, then follow the advice of experts

If you are still ready to continue the fight against the green snake, we offer some important tips that will help you live with an alcoholic in the same apartment:

How to treat binge drinking at home?

• Do not create comfortable conditions for your spouse to drink. Sometimes women try in every possible way to please their husband, to help him survive a severe hangover and run to the store for a pill or beer. As a result, the alcoholic gets used to it, becomes more cheeky, and living with him becomes unbearable.
• Any conversations should be carried out exclusively only after leaving the binge. You won't achieve anything while drunk. Try to persuade the patient to undergo a course of treatment.
• It is most difficult for a woman who has small children to live in the same apartment. If for some reason it is not possible to leave the alcoholic, try to minimize the children’s communication and meetings with their father. Remember, children should grow up in light.

Psychological methods of treating alcoholism

Psychological methods are usually used in the complex treatment of alcohol dependence. Psychotherapists explain to the patient how harmful alcohol is, help them look at life differently, and provide psychological support. Sometimes, as prescribed by a doctor, coding is performed - one of the types of psychotherapy in which the patient is instilled with a ban on drinking alcohol, and fear is subconsciously instilled. This method is effective only when the patient is easily suggestible.

Additional methods (neurophysiological coding, electrostereocoding, acupuncture) are used less often, but in addition to the main treatment they make a significant contribution.

Highly qualified specialists should help you choose appropriate treatment methods.

You should not trust anyone who is trying to make money from this. It is best to seek help from a reputable clinic.

ATTENTION! The information published in the article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute instructions for use. Be sure to consult with your doctor!

When the patient is drunk

• The alcoholic despot does not hide his drunkenness from his household. He doesn’t care about the opinions of others; he lives by the principle “I drank, I drink and I will drink.” But such personality types are not common, and they need to be considered in a separate article. In the overwhelming majority of cases, when an alcoholic comes home drunk again, he hopes in his heart that his household will not notice his drunken state. In extreme cases, excuses are prepared: “I met an old friend and drank a bottle of beer with him,” “It’s my boss’s birthday, I couldn’t refuse,” etc. So be it. You can’t catch an alcoholic cheating right here and right now. Nothing will come of it but a scandal. It’s better to play along with him and postpone the showdown until the future. Otherwise, next time he will bring the bottle home and drink openly, defiantly, that is, he will turn into a despot alcoholic.
• If the patient has reached a state where he does not care about the consequences, the opinion of his closest relatives, he sits in the kitchen and drinks alcohol with a gloomy look, you cannot take the bottle from him and pour out the contents, take money from his pocket (so as not to drink), provoke a scandal and threaten divorce and police. Let him drink. The more he drinks, the worse his hangover will be, and the more obvious the need for treatment for alcoholism will become.
• If our patient shows aggressiveness while drunk, provokes a scandal and a showdown, or gets rowdy, you cannot show him your weakness or fear. Here, calling the police will come in very handy. Precisely the police. You cannot invite neighbors, relatives or friends. The goal is not to disgrace the drinker, but to calm him down using the force of the law. And the help of relatives and friends will come in handy later.