The Key to Recovery: The Family and the Alcoholic

by Di English

Overview

This book is for the millions of people all over the world who are affected by someone close who abuses or is addicted to alcohol.

 

Many family members and friends are so badly disturbed that they often become sicker than the abuser. They experience fear, anger, confusion and in many cases extreme feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Because of the stigma and shame attached to the word alcoholic they don’t know who to turn to or where to get help.

 

The behaviour of the alcoholic is erratic, unpredictable and often hostile. The impact of deceit, denial, blame and abuse is such that family members and others who are close, get inevitably drawn into the world of the alcoholic. That’s why alcoholism is commonly known as “A Family Disease”.

 

Having experienced alcoholism within my own family as well as working closely with both alcoholics and their families for many years I understand the needs of this much forgotten group. They are the victims of alcohol. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, siblings, friends and colleagues and sometimes completely innocent bystanders.

 

There is no magic pill. No guarantees: but in this book I discuss ways in which families and friends can make changes for themselves that will not only impact on the behaviour of their loved one but in turn help them to lead more fulfilling lives whether or not the alcoholic continues to drink.

 

I address the following issues.

 

• The Disease of Addiction

• Denial and Acceptance

• Feelings and Emotions

• “The Blame Game”.

• Enabling and Support

• Communication

• Boundaries and Agreements.

• Detachment

• Detox, Rehabilitation and Going Home.

• Relapse

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780994487346
Publisher:	Diana Hole
Publication date:	07/11/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	120
File size:	203 KB

About the Author

Di English is a registered nurse, mother and grandmother who grew up in England and now lives in Sydney, Australia. Her experience is broad but it was in her later years when Di moved into the area of Mental Health that she found her passion helping family members of alcohol and drug addicts to gain a better understanding of the disease of addiction and ways in which they could better manage their own lives. With alcoholism in her family, Di is very aware of the problems facing family members living in an alcoholic environment. Many alcoholics are much loved by those close to them but their behaviour can be appalling. Family dynamics become chaotic, the alcoholic becomes the focus of the family and everyone around them suffers. Di has seen how the toll for many becomes too great and move on leaving the alcoholic to follow a path of self-destruction whilst others choose to stay in this unbearable situation. Feeling as if they are walking on eggshells, the stress and anxiety becomes so great that they often become sicker than the offending drinker. Di believes that with a better understanding and the right tools and support there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who are prepared to make what can often be difficult choices to create a meaningful life for themselves whether or not their loved one continues to drink.