ByThe effects of alcoholism are not limited to the particular member of the family; rather, they spread across the entire family unit, much like the way a mobile phone shakes when a child touches it. Although each component appears to be independent, it is intricately related to the others, which makes the family a complex system in which the acts of a single person can affect the entire.
This comparison illustrates how alcohol addiction in one member of a family may upset the equilibrium of the entire family, highlighting the importance of taking a holistic approach to alcohol use disorder treatment that includes family therapy.
The impact that addiction has on a family can be compared to a snag in a sweater, where even a single loose thread can damage the garment’s integrity. This is why addiction can have such a ripple effect. Due to the interrelated nature of the situation, addiction, which may appear to be a problem that affects only one person, actually has far-reaching implications that affect every member of the family.
It establishes a dynamic in which the family may continue to function, but it does so within the context of underlying grief and dysfunction, which is concealed by a facade of normalcy to the outside world.
Unspoken norms that perpetuate the cycle of suffering and misunderstanding are frequently adopted by families going through the process of dealing with addiction.
The climate that is created by these rules is one in which meaningful communication is avoided, emotions are repressed, trust is eroded, and the addiction continues to be the proverbial “elephant in the room” that everyone overlooks. The healing process needs to allow this “elephant” to be acknowledged by breaching these norms.
Families frequently adopt a code of silence on the addiction, avoiding any meaningful discussions about the problem. This is like ignoring an elephant that is sitting in the living room. For this reason, confronting and addressing the issue head-on is made more difficult by avoidance.
The suppression of emotions occurs when openness and honesty are relegated to a secondary position, and members of the family are urged to conceal their feelings to preserve the appearance of normalcy. Because of this lack of emotional expression, the family is unable to deal with the emotional toll that the addiction has had on them.
The chaotic cycle of optimism followed by disappointment that is characteristic of addiction erodes the foundation of trust that exists within the family; this results in a loss of trust. More and more members of the family begin to mistrust one another and even outside sources of support, which further isolates the family unit.
It is possible that addressing these detrimental behaviors and beginning family therapy could be a crucial step on the path to healing. The therapeutic process offers families a secure environment in which they may address the addiction, openly express their feelings, reestablish trust, and collaborate on the process of healing. Families can start the journey to recovery by recognizing and addressing these unwritten norms, which will allow them to support their loved ones through addiction treatment and beyond.
