SANCA Drug Awareness Week

Alcoholism : A Family
Disease
By: Me Senyatsi M.F.
 AIM

To give a comprehensive
understanding of
alcoholism as a family
disease
 OUTCOMES

•Understanding Of:

•Alcoholism as a family disease

•Stages of alcoholism
• Effects of alcoholism on the
family
 OUTCOMES (contd..)

• Co-dependent
• Characteristics of a co-
dependent
• The enablers
• Constructive confrontation
 Introduction

Faces of alcoholism
• Physical
• Economic
• Social
• Emotional
 Definition
• It is an addictive disease in which the
victims are physically and
psychologically dependent on a
chemical - alcohol.

• It becomes part of their body

chemistry, and takes control of their
behavior and their thinking
 Stages of Dependency
• Early stage

• Middle stage

• Advanced stage
 Alcoholism as a family
disease
It traps the alcoholic and at the same
time absorbs that person’s
• Family

• Workplace

• Society
 Effects on the family

• Suspicion

• Insecurity

• Guilt

• Fear
 Effects on the family (contd..)

• Disappointment

• Isolation

• Embarrassment

• Resentment
 Enabling
• The positive intent of enabling is to
end the dependency by “assisting”
in some way.

• The end results of enabling is that

family and friends “assist” in making
it possible for the dependency to
continue
 Enabling behaviours
• Denial
• Accepting the blame
• Justifying
• Minimizing
• Protecting
• Blaming, criticizing
 Enabling behaviours(contd..)
• Acting superior
• Assuming responsibility
• Taking control
• Enduring and waiting
• Covering up consequences
• Rewarding
 Typical characteristics of a
co-dependent
• Assuming responsibility for others

• Difficulty with close relationships

• Afraid of being hurt

• Difficulty in making decisions

 Typical characteristics of a
co-dependent(contd..)
• Put other people’s needs first

• Value other people’s opinions

• Unjustified loyalty
 Constructive Confrontation

By:
• Family members
• Co-workers
• Friends
• Employers
 Aims of Constructive
Confrontation

Alcoholic to:
• Be in touch with reality
• Presentation of incidents
• Be treated in a firm manner
• Intrinsic motivation
 The Process of Constructive
Confrontation
• Participants
• Reassurance
• Identification of the problem
• Understanding alcoholism
• Acceptance
• Attitudes
• Keep a diary
 Dimensions Affected by
Alcoholism
• Physical
• Personality
• Marital relationship
• Parent/ child relationship
• Work
• Financial
• Religion
 The Key Elements

• Understanding
• Acceptance
 Planning the Constructive
Confrontation Situation

• Professional help

• Adequate preparedness of professionals