Sue and Tom* were married less than a year before Tom’s alcoholism began to hurt their marriage. Tom was eight years older than Sue, a graduate student at a prestigious university; she was an at-home mom for their first child, but would shortly start graduate school herself. The drinking problem was insidious at first. Tom’s …
Alcoholism: Its Ties to Domestic Violence and the Disruption of Families Read More »
Mark Kerrigan, brother of American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, has been accused of killing his father in an alcohol-induced rage. Kerrigan’s problems with addiction have been ongoing for years, and his parents even sued him for more than $100,000, reportedly to push him toward seeking treatment. John Quinones and Christine Brozyna of ABC.com explore this …
Should Families of Drug Addicts Try Financial Tough Love? Read More »
Millions of Americans know how painful it is to watch a loved one struggle with alcohol or drug abuse. Research shows that more than 40% of adults in the United States have at least one addicted person in their immediate family. It is even more painful feeling powerless to help. Should you have a heart-to-heart …
“Teach your children well,” a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song famously advises. Children are impressionable, like tofu that absorbs the flavor of whatever it’s immersed in. But sadly, many children are immersed in unsavory environments. It’s time to learn how to teach your children about substance use. Influence of Parental Attitudes Some parents say …
There are more than 23 million Americans struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, and millions more with compulsive behaviors such as gambling, gaming and sex addiction. Struggling along with them are the millions of people who love them. Partners, parents, children, close relatives and friends deal every day with the same problem as the addict, …
5 Self-Care Habits for Family Members of Addicts Read More »
When you are concerned that a loved one is struggling with depression, it is natural to want to help. When the sufferer is your husband, it can be more difficult. Depression can put a strain on your marriage. You likely have seen firsthand your husband’s recent irritability, difficulty sleeping and a gradual withdrawal from people …
Children of alcoholic parents live in a unique world. While most children enjoy comfortable routines, playtime, reliable meals and bonding time with their caregivers, children of alcoholic parents don’t have the same luxuries. A Harder Lot in Life According to research comparing children of alcoholics to children of non-alcoholics, children of alcoholic parents are at …
Common Characteristics of Children of Alcoholics Read More »
If you read anything in the news about drugs and addiction, the stories are usually bleak. More young people are abusing prescription drugs and a heroin epidemic, along with overdose deaths, is sweeping the country.
When you love an alcoholic or addict, you probably experience a lot of unpredictability and pain in your life, including both extreme highs and extreme lows. You get caught up in frequent drama and are obsessed with trying to change situations you can’t control and you may spend time, money and energy trying to fix …
If you have a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you know how challenging it is to talk to that person. When you try to confront him about his problem you may encounter any number of deflecting techniques: avoidance, anger, guilt, aggression or anything else that prevents you from having a serious …