| Only those who have had the experience of living with | | | | alcoholic. The shame of it is, family really does not |
| an alcoholic can tell the real story. They seldom talk | | | | deserve to be dragged along with them. A family |
| about at the time because most alcoholics have an | | | | cannot function normally while living with an active |
| uncanny way of convincing their partner that they are | | | | alcoholic. So it is important that the family to take a |
| the real problem. Alcoholics are masters at deflecting | | | | stand as early as possible to avoid permanent |
| blame. It's like they all went to the same school | | | | damage to their family. |
| teaching the art of denial and how to avoid blame | | | | What can the family do? |
| Alcoholism is a multifaceted problem. It is very | | | | 1. Learn facts about alcoholism, the disease, addiction, |
| important for alcoholics to protect their problem so it is | | | | behavior, drinking patterns and much more. |
| imperative that they have a large repertoire of | | | | 2. Look up the definition of tough love. |
| defense mechanisms to protect them from anything | | | | 3. Find about "reality therapy" it can be practiced in the |
| that might indicate their problem with alcohol. One of | | | | home. |
| the very first symptoms of alcoholism is denial. With | | | | 4. Remember that alcoholism is progressive and not |
| denial how can any problems be caused by their | | | | curable. Progression can be halted with intervention. |
| drinking when they have no problem with alcohol? | | | | 5. Get advice and counsel from a professional with |
| Therefore don't talk to me about any problems you | | | | extensive experience in the field of alcoholism. |
| think is caused by my drinking. Family members of | | | | Time is of the essence the earlier the intervention the |
| alcoholics will verify that alcohol comes before them, | | | | better the result. Delay will not cure alcoholism |
| the job or the alcoholics own well being. | | | | problems because alcoholism is progressive and will |
| Alcoholism is progressive and will continue progressing | | | | progress until it destroys the alcoholic, family members, |
| until the alcoholic becomes dysfunctional. If there is no | | | | relatives and close acquaintances. A word of warning |
| intervention the alcoholic will die either from a tragic | | | | for everyone, Drinking alcohol to solve problems only |
| accident or in an institution. The family of the alcoholic | | | | teaches problems to swim. |
| progresses into a dysfunctional state along with the | | | | |