Station Manager
Station Manager
The Family Disease of Alcoholism
The Family Disease of Alcoholism
The Family Disease of Alcoholism
Monday 15th June 2020
Explore how alcoholism affects entire families and learn about survival roles and collective healing in this insightful episode.
Explicit
42 minutes
Informative
Supportive
Compassionate
Honest
Educational
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Get the buttons here!The Ripple Effect: How Alcoholism Impacts Families
Episode Overview
- Alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the individual.
- Family members often take on specific survival roles to cope.
- Treating the whole family is crucial for effective recovery.
- Open communication can help address and resolve resentments.
- Healthy families can force alcoholics to change or leave.
An alcoholic cannot survive in his drinking in a healthy family. He's either going to have to get well or get out
In this episode of Recovery Radio Network, the focus is on 'The Family Disease of Alcoholism'. The episode explores the concept that alcoholism affects not just the individual but the entire family unit. The speaker, sharing insights from 1986, delves into the dynamics of families coping with alcoholism and how each member adapts to the situation in often unhealthy ways.
The analogy of a family as a hand with an alcoholic as a disruptive force illustrates how each member takes on specific roles to maintain balance, even if it means enabling the alcoholic's behaviour. You'll hear about various survival roles within an alcoholic family, such as the chief enabler, who out of love and concern, shields the alcoholic from facing consequences, inadvertently allowing the drinking to continue.
Other roles include the family hero, the lost child, and the family mascot, each playing a part in maintaining a dysfunctional equilibrium. The episode also highlights the importance of treating not just the alcoholic but the entire family. The speaker emphasises that if the family members become healthy, the alcoholic will be forced to change or leave, as they can no longer thrive in a healthy environment.
This episode is packed with anecdotes and real-life examples that bring these concepts to life. One particularly compelling segment discusses how resentment builds up within families and how crucial open communication is for healing. The speaker suggests practical steps for families to start addressing their issues, including listing resentments and discussing them openly. If you're dealing with alcoholism in your family or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice.
It underscores the idea that recovery is a collective effort and that healing one part of the family can lead to healing for all.