Social Effects of Alcohol on the Family

Although many people drink because it makes them feel better about themselves, drinking excessively can
negatively impact ones personality. Wives and girlfriends of alcoholics are often subjected to many types of
alcohol-related abuse. Couples can also exhibit mutually violent behaviours attributed to alcohol. Research
indicates that marriages in which only one spouse drinks heavily end in divorce 50 percent of the time.4 Data
indicates that 12-70 percent of adults who abuse children are alcoholics.6

Children of alcoholics often have deep-seated psychological and emotional problems due to growing up with an
addicted parent. Children of substance abusers are 3-4 times more likely than peers to become addicted to
alcohol or other drugs.7 Children of alcoholics are at higher risk for developing an array of emotional problems
including mistrust, guilt, shame, confusion, ambivalence, fear and insecurities. These emotional issues can
cause socialization problems for children, e.g., they may avoid friendships because they are embarrassed or
afraid to invite other children to their house.6

Anger and problematic alcohol use have been established as individual risk factors for intimate partner violence
(IPV), victimization and perpetration. A large study on 215 heterosexual couples in the Midwest and Southeast
U.S. was conducted to analyze mutually violent behavioural patterns. Participants were required to be healthy
overall without major medical problems or a psychiatric diagnosis, and could not be in active treatment for a
psychological or relationship-related issue. In addition, at least one of the two had to consume an average of at
least five (for men) or four (for women) or more standard drinks per occasion at least twice a month in the past
year. No mean differences were observed across gender for trait anger or physical IPV perpetration. However,
significant differences were observed across gender for IPV victimization and problematic alcohol use. Men
experienced more IPV victimization and reported more problematic drinking. The results of this study suggest
that anger and problematic drinking patterns play different yet important roles for men and women in mutually
violent relationships
Teens who abuse alcohol will exhibit some of the
following signs:
* Lying or making excuses
* Breaking curfew
* Hiding in their room
* Mood swings
* Stealing
* Poor hygiene
* Frequently feeling ill
* Changes in sleeping patterns
* Changes in friends
* Becoming verbally or physically abusive toward
others
DEATH AWAITS!