It is interesting to point out something that family members who have been adversely affected by the alcohol dependency of another family member plainly do not comprehend. It seems that by protecting the alcohol dependent individual with untruths and deceit to those outside the family, these well-intentioned family members have in actual fact created a circumstance that makes it easier for the alcohol dependent person to continue and go forward with his or her harmful, devastating style of life.

Without a doubt, instead of helping the alcohol addicted person and themselves, these family members have in fact become enablers who have mistakenly helped deteriorate the alcohol dependent person’s drinking problem even more.

Perhaps the real downside of this is that the alcohol dependent person will continue drinking in an abusive and excessive manner and experience various “alcohol side effects.” Some of these side effects include considerable financial problems, poor health, legal issues (such as getting arrested for one or more DUIs), employment difficulties, diminished mental functioning, and deteriorating relationships.

The Probability of a Relapse is Real

According to the research findings and statistics on alcohol addiction, another key alcoholism issue has to do with alcohol relapses. Relapses take place when an alcohol addicted individual has successfully gone through alcohol dependency rehabilitation and then returns to drinking a number of weeks or months later. At first glance, this circumstance flies in the face of rational thinking and seems so implausible that it forces an individual to wonder why anyone who has experienced the dejection of alcoholism can return to drinking a short while after effective alcohol rehabilitation and in turn after attaining recovery. There are, of course, more than a few rational reasons for this.

It should be pointed out, on the other hand that alcoholism research that has centered on the long-term effects of alcoholism has demonstrated-proven that long after the alcohol addicted person has terminated his or her drinking, fundamental alterations in the way in which the alcoholic’s brain operates are still present. As a result, all a recovering alcohol dependent person has to do to involve himself or herself in actions that correspond with the modifications that have occurred in the brain is to start drinking again.

The Need for A Crucial Lifestyle Modification

There are additional reasons why several recovering alcoholics return to drinking a few weeks or a few months after achieving sobriety. According to the alcoholism research literature, to make an effective recovery, the alcohol dependent person needs new ways of acting and thinking in order to deal more successfully with challenging alcohol-related circumstances that will take place.

Circumstances such as returning to the same alcohol addictive environment or to the same geographic location; interacting once again with friends from the days when the alcohol addicted person was drinking irresponsibly; or familiar songs, smells, or activities—all of these circumstances can elicit memories that can set off psychological stress or push hot buttons that influence the recovering alcohol dependent person to engage in hazardous drinking once again. Sadly, all of these circumstances may not only get in the way of enduring alcohol recovery for the alcohol dependent person but they can also result in relapse and thus negate one’s sobriety.

The Good News: There’s a Lot of Hope for Lasting Sobriety

In an attempt to “protect” the family alcohol dependent individual, family members can in fact cause inadvertent damage by enabling the unsafe drinking behavior of the alcohol addicted individual.

The drug abuse research literature confirms the fact that most individuals who effectively complete alcohol treatment experience at least one relapse. Alcoholics and their family members need to know this so that they do not get defeated or stressed out when a relapse occurs.

Happily, taking part in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and follow-up counseling and training have resulted in more effective, enduring alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency therapeutic outcomes, have helped reduce alcohol relapses, and have helped recovering alcohol dependent persons accomplish long-term alcohol recovery.

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