Alcholism the family disease.

Alcoholism is a disabling addictive disorder characterized by compulsive abuse of alcohol despite the adverse effects on health and social environment. Alcoholism not only effect the alcoholic but those around them. An alcoholic can totally disrupt a family and cause life long effects from there decision regarding alcohol abuse.

Early signs of alcoholism include established patterns, drinking in dangerous situations such as before driving. One may also black out, become irritable, angry and violent. The number one symptom of alcohol abuse is someone who continues drinking after their drinking reaches levels that cause recurrent problems. Alcoholics continue to drink in spite of all the problems it has caused in their lives. (DUI's , other laws, loss of employment, loss of friends/family/children) When alcohol abuse reaches the alcohol dependence stage, the person also experiences at least three of seven other symptoms, including neglect of other activities, excessive use of alcohol, impaired control of alcohol consumption, persistence of alcohol use, large amounts of time spent in alcohol-related activities, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance of alcohol.

I find it hard to think and rationalize like an addict. I do not understand how they can justify putting themselves in risky situations that could not only change their life but the lives of their child forever. The first step is admitting there is a problem and agreeing to be helped. At what point does ones family have no option but to step in? How do you make an alcoholic understand that rock bottom is where the first step to the staircase begins.....and sometimes family members have to step in and protect the others around them from the addiction. How do you make someone understand you know its a disease and not a faulty personality trait but you have to stop being the victim of the alcohol and be the resolution? I believe the best love at times is tough love. Co dependency contributes to ones fast decline and I refuse to be apart of this decline. I want to be part of the solution. I do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel and pray the someone in my life who is struggling sees it too. I pray for the children who are living this life and the uncontrollable situations that they have not asked to be apart of. I pray that someone defies the odds and become the voice for those who cannot speak. That no matter what the consequences are that one loves that child enough to do whats right no matter what ridicule it may bring.