Looking for Help Beyond the Bottle?

Nearly 8 million Americans are alcohol dependent. Unfortunately, the effects of alcoholism also impact relationships between families and friends. Known as a family disease, alcoholism can lead to spousal and child abuse, divorce, emotional stress, and financial instability. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA): More than half of all spouse and child abuse is directly tied to alcohol and drug abuse o Alcohol-addicted persons are seven times more likely to divorce than non-addicts Families of alcoholics are often faced with a difficult challenge: tough love or nurturing the inevitable downward spiral of alcohol addiction. When faced with the chaotic condition, families are left helpless and frustrated when their efforts to help the addicts in their lives result in nothing more than denial, anger and in some cases, heavier drinking. However, there are effective and potentially lifesaving steps that can be taken to help bring clarity to the lives of everyone involved. Statistics show that 90% of alcoholics will enter treatment when their families and friends intervene. The good news is that there are now more treatment options available to alcoholics than ever before. More information on Alcoholism & It’s Impact on the Family: Alcohol abuse is defined as a level of drinking that causes clinically significant impairment or distress, but not physical dependence. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, seventy six million American adults have been exposed to alcoholism in the family. Among current adult drinkers, more than half say they have a blood relative who is or was an alcoholic or problem drinker.According to a 2005 survey conducted by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA): 41% of those surveyed report having encouraged a loved one to seek help for an alcohol problem A surprising 66% of those surveyed were unaware that medications existed to treat alcoholism, although 83% said they would encourage a loved one to take a physician-recommended medication to treat alcoholism The odds of an alcoholic or addict quitting drinking or using alcohol “on their own” without professional help or regular recovery meetings is 1 in 50,000. More about Petros Levounis: Petros Levounis, M.D., is Director of The Addiction Institute of New York. As Chief of Addiction Psychiatry at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, Dr. Levounis has dedicated his career to helping understand the science of addiction and the effect of the family in the treatment of alcohol-dependent patients.