recovery

Alcoholism: Codependency and Effects on Family

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Alcoholism: Codependency and Effects on Family

By: Maddie Rhodes

Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder, has drastic effects on the individual, and it also takes a toll on the people surrounding them including their family, friends, and colleagues. Alcoholism always has a financial tie and can easily create instability within a family.

Alcoholism can result in martial conflict, stress, and domestic violence. It is important for a family member or friend to consider their own mental health when supporting someone who has Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A risk that spouses face when put in this situation is codependency, focusing all of their efforts onto their partner or family member. This forms an unhealthy relationship and may lead to them blaming themselves for the addiction.

 It also has detrimental effects on children living in the household. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), 1 in every 5 adult Americans resided with a relative who misused alcohol during their adolescence. They often face strong feelings of anger, anxiety, and confusion with some struggling with friendships, school, and mental health. Living via an alcoholic puts the child at a higher likelihood of developing AUD. It is important to set boundaries with the individual, for example, how much alcohol you are comfortable having in the house.

Considerations:

  • Learn about AUD and how it may affect your loved one
  • Try to avoid enabling them
  • Remove yourself from dangerous situations
  • Have an open conversation
  • Speak to a therapist or licensed professional

If you or someone you know is interested is dealing with Alcoholism or is an individual close to someone with Alcoholism, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-Of-Alcoholics-017.aspx

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/support-recovery/family

Addiction: Alcoholism

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Addiction: Alcoholism

By Isabella Favuzza

American society deems alcoholic beverages such as cocktails a social normality, but many walk the fine line between social drinking and alcoholism. Whether you are drinking to socialize, conform, enhance, or cope you may find yourself unable to control the alcohol cravings. Loved ones may describe you as bad tempered or irritable and you may find yourself yearning for that next sip, regardless of the occasion. Many alcoholics are unaware when they cross that fine line; most don’t remember/feel the change.

Alcoholism is a burdensome journey that should never be traveled alone. Asking for help is the first and most challenging step for alcoholics due to guilt, shame, etc. Therapy provides the appropriate and essential tools to aid struggling alcoholics to cope with these anguishing feelings of resentment, anger, and sorrow. Throughout the course of therapy, a psychologist will help alcoholics identify drinking behavior/patterns, identify risk factors, set goals, think positively, provide intensive intervention/care, and routinely monitor the progress. Therapy is designed to construct a recovery plan that enables alcoholics to recover from drinking, regain control of their livelihood, thrive at work, and connect with loved ones. Ultimately, the alcoholic benefits from therapy by regaining control and reestablishing a healthy relationship with friends and family.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Eating Disorders and Family Relationships

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

The emotional impact of eating disorders on families

Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders and Family Relationships

By. Alexis Yennie

Different eating disorders, whether it be anorexia nervosa or bulimia, all eat away at different relationships that we have in our lives, such as family, friends and loved ones. The main reason that we are alive on this planet is because of the relationships/human connections that we have with others. When eating disorders appear, they can diminish and break down these relationships causing negative thoughts and behaviors to surround everything around you. The more progression that eating disorders make on an individual, the more negative effects take place on not only them, but those around them as well.

Eating disorders are known to create feelings of isolation, hopelessness and separation. It is very common for loved ones to feel as though they have lost someone, when they watch someone they care about battle with an eating disorder. Though at one point there might have been a very strong bond between people, eating disorders tend to destroy any chance of hope/love a person might have for others; as these hopelessness/loveless emotions rise, the people that once cared for the person battling the eating disorder, eventually break off, due to feelings of hopelessness, or even the feeling of being replaced by the vicious monster inside of them

Family members of individuals that are suffering with eating disorders, know that your presence is wanted, even though it might not always seem like it and it does make a difference to them. Loving someone at this point in their life, might just be the encouragement that they need to fight for their life. Recovery is possible and never lose hope. Relationships can be fixed, and recovery is beautiful.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or family relationships pertaining to their eating disorders, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychotherapist at Arista Counseling and Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ  or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201)-368-3700 or (212)-722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Image Source: https://www.sovteens.com/health-and-wellness/emotional-impact-eating-disorders-families/

Sources: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/family-role/how-eating-disorders-can-affect-relationships