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A common cause of alcoholism
1New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, White Plains.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Nonalcoholics often enable alcoholism, with enablers like caretakers playing a key role. Confronting the alcoholic with consequences is crucial for recovery, shifting from enabling to active support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Alcoholism is a significant public health issue with complex social dynamics.
- The role of nonalcoholic individuals in the perpetuation of alcoholism is often overlooked.
Observation:
- Family members and caretakers (enablers) of alcoholics frequently contribute to the continuation of the disease.
- Individuals who are not directly alcoholic but are close to them often fail to confront the issue due to a lack of conscious intent to harm or enable.
Findings:
- The study posits that the "enabler" dynamic is central to the persistence of alcoholism.
- A significant portion of nonalcoholics have alcoholic family members, highlighting a familial component.
- Confrontation of the alcoholic with the consequences of their actions by those close to them is presented as a necessary step.
Implications:
- Shifting the role from "enabler" to "confronter" is essential for addressing alcoholism.
- Individuals close to alcoholics must actively engage with the reality of the disease rather than making excuses.
- This perspective suggests that societal and familial support structures can inadvertently perpetuate alcoholism if not properly understood and addressed.