Alcoholism - Living with the Disease

Alcoholism is a disease that can not only destroy individuals; it can also severely damage those around them. When an alcoholic is actively drinking, they fall into unhealthy patterns of behavior, which surprises nobody. The unfortunate fact is, however, that the friends and family of the alcoholic can often fall into unhealthy behavior patterns as well. This often happens because the friends and family members of the alcoholic develop defense strategies to protect themselves and the person with the disease. The problem is, these defense strategies are often not consciously created, and in addition, they can make matters worse. Education on alcoholism is one of the things that can break these unhealthy patterns and help everyone who is caught up in the damage that this disease can cause.

Someone who is suffering from alcoholism, and who is actively drinking, will quickly learn how to manipulate those around them so that they can go on drinking without fear of being made to stop. On the outside, the family and friends of the alcoholic may act angry toward this person, and may try to threaten, negotiate, or cajole in order to get the drinking to stop. At the same time, however, the alcoholic, either through threatening or manipulative behavior, can cause those around them to give in to their perceived "need" to drink in order to afford everyone a temporary peace.

Often the first step toward treating alcoholism in a person is for those who love them to seek their own special kind of treatment. When friends and family members of an alcoholic learn to live with the disease by ceasing to let it interfere in their lives, they are reversing and healing some of the damage that it has caused. Often, when the disease no longer has a support system, it cannot thrive like it once did, and it once more becomes just localized to the one person. This often involves cutting off contact with the alcoholic, although sometimes it simply means not contributing to anything related to the drinking.

Once friends and family learn to refuse to let the alcoholism affect their own lives, the alcoholic will often hit bottom. Though it can be difficult for friends and family members to see, it is often what is needed for the person to seek the help that they need. If you are a friend or family member of an alcoholic and the person's disease has been disrupting your life, you should look into seeking help for yourself.

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Title:	Alcoholism - Living with the Disease
Author:	Joy Stoyle
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Alcoholism - Living with the Disease