Alcoholism and Family — How Recovery Helps the Whole Household

Alcoholism is a family disease. When one person in a household is alcoholic, the entire family system reorganizes around the drinking — walking on eggshells, covering up, hoping tonight will be different. The damage extends to spouses, children, parents, and siblings in ways that often last long after the alcoholic gets sober.

The Big Book Addresses Families Directly

The Big Book includes a chapter called 'The Family Afterward' that describes both the promises of recovery for families and the adjustments required. It's honest about the fact that when the alcoholic gets sober, the family doesn't automatically heal. New patterns have to be built. Trust has to be rebuilt over time, through demonstrated action.

Al-Anon: Recovery for Family Members

Al-Anon is a parallel fellowship for family members and friends of alcoholics. It uses the same 12 steps and traditions as AA, adapted for those affected by someone else's drinking. Alateen serves younger family members. These programs exist because the family needs its own recovery, separate from whether or when the alcoholic gets sober.

Read the Big Book's family chapters in full in AABlueBook. Free year on iOS: bit.ly/aabfree. Android: FREEMONTHFL.