The Key to Recovery

The Family and the Alcoholic

This book is for the millions of people all over the world who are affected by someone close who abuses or is addicted to alcohol.

Many family members and friends are so badly disturbed that they often become sicker than the abuser. They experience fear, anger, confusion and in many cases extreme feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Because of the stigma and shame attached to the word alcoholic they don’t know who to turn to or where to get help.

The behaviour of the alcoholic is erratic, unpredictable and often hostile. The impact of deceit, denial, blame and abuse is such that family members and others who are close, get inevitably drawn into the world of the alcoholic. That’s why alcoholism is commonly known as “A Family Disease”.

Having experienced alcoholism within my own family as well as working closely with both alcoholics and their families for many years I understand the needs of this much forgotten group. They are the victims of alcohol. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, siblings, friends and colleagues and sometimes completely innocent bystanders.

There is no magic pill. No guarantees: but in this book I discuss ways in which families and friends can make changes for themselves that will not only impact on the behaviour of their loved one but in turn help them to lead more fulfilling lives whether or not the alcoholic continues to drink.

I address the following issues.

• The Disease of Addiction

• Denial and Acceptance

• Feelings and Emotions

• “The Blame Game”.

• Enabling and Support

• Communication

• Boundaries and Agreements.

• Detachment

• Detox, Rehabilitation and Going Home.

• Relapse