ALCOHOL: FACTS FOR FAMILIES
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Alcohol is a drug.
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Beer, wine and liquor all contain alcohol.
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Alcohol is a "downer", like sleeping pills.
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Alcohol causes changes in a person's body and mind.
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People can become addicted to alcohol.
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Alcoholism is a disease.
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People who drink often take other drugs too.
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Alcoholism runs in families.
When someone you love is drinking, do you...
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Blame yourself for the drinking and feel afraid to say anything?
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Feel hurt, angry, or scared?
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Try to hide the drinking problem from other people?
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Not know how the person is going to act from day to day?
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Feel like you can't trust the person?
Alcoholism affects everyone in the family.
The alcoholic doesn't want to hurt anyone. But loved ones, husbands,
wives, and kids all feel the effect of the disease.
In families with alcoholism, there are often fights, problems with
money, and lots of stress. Many times there's also violence.
It may be hard to admit that someone you love has a problem with
alcohol. But remember that the alcoholic is sick. Alcoholism is a
treatable disease. Alcoholics get better when they stop drinking.
The warning signs of alcohol problems:
Most people who drink don't have a problem with alcohol. But if
someone's drinking is causing problems at home or at work, it is a
problem.
Alcoholism has warning signs, just like other diseases.
Some of them are:
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Using alcohol to deal with problems.
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Having to drink more and more to get the same high.
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Hiding how much you drink.
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Forgetting things when you drink.
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Getting angry when someone complains about your drinking.
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Having trouble stopping after the first drink.
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Using alcohol to control the highs and lows of other drugs.
It may be hard to tell if someone has an alcohol problem. The disease
of alcoholism can take a long time to develop. Each alcoholic has a
different drinking pattern. Some alcoholics never look or act drunk. Most
alcoholics make excuses for their drinking and deny that they have a
problem.
Where to get help
If drinking is a problem in your home, you are not alone or helpless.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Facing up to a problem and asking for
help is a step in the right direction.
There are lots of places to go for help:
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Self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and Al-Anon and Alateen or families and friends of alcoholics.
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Alcoholism clinic or treatment program.
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Local council on alcoholism.
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Doctor, hospital or health clinic.
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Church, synagogue, or place of worship.
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Community center or women's center.
ADDITIONAL
DRUG FACTS
