Alcohol and Familiy Violence

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Family Violence Impact

Children who are exposed to domestic violence are impacted psychologically, emotionally and experience a wide range of difficulties. They are more likely to exhibit aggressive and antisocial behavior or to be depressed and anxious (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia Preto, 2011). According to Eric Erickson’s stages of psychosocial development, children in stage one will develop a sense of trust or mistrust. Exposure to violence in the first years of life brings about helplessness and terror, which can be attributed to the lack of protection received by the parent. This lack of trust can lead to serious problems later in life, as there is no resolution to the first psychosocial crises, trust vs. mistrust.

Infants and small children exposed to domestic violence experience so much emotional stress that it can harm the development of the brain and impair cognitive and sensory growth. Early child development is crucial because during the early years, a child’s brain is continuing to develop. At this stage the child’s brain collects and gathers information for later physical and emotional functioning. Exposure to domestic violence threatens this development. Children exposed to domestic violence demonstrate impaired abilities to concentrate, difficulties with schoolwork, and have significantly lower sores when their verbal, motor and cognitive skills were being tested. This has a negative impact on psychological functioning. For example, a child that is exposed to domestic violence can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Psychological disorders can hinder with learning and the ability to perform well in a classroom.

Intervention Methods

Many people with alcohol problems don't recognize when their drinking gets out of hand. In the past, treatment providers believed that alcoholics should be confronted about their drinking problems, but now research has shown that compassion and empathy are more effective. The ideal approach is to help people realize the negative impact alcohol abuse is having on their life, and on the lives of those around them. They can aim for a personal goal of leading a more fulfilling and sober life. Studies find that more people enter treatment if their family members or employers are honest with them about their concerns, and try to help them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals.

Few families will go into treatment implicating that alcohol is the primary problem. “Common presenting complaints often mask alcoholism, such as depression, marital discord, sexual dysfunction, sexual acting out, other compulsive disorders such as overeating or prescription drugs abuse, physical violence, incest, and school or behavioral problems in one of the children” (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia Preto, 2011). Sometimes, the intervention comes as a shock to the alcoholic, but a better approach is when the family members discuss with the alcoholic the pressing issues prior to the intervention. If the alcoholic does agree to enter the treatment center, they are more likely to be less angry than with the other process of surprising and ambushing them with the confrontation. The alcoholic feels less handled and usually enters the program with the attitude of trying to get better from the start.

Family Rituals

Family rituals can be defined as behaviors or activities involving most or all members of the family which occur episodically, have a symbolic meaning for family members, and are valued by the participants. Since rituals have the ability to express variances rather than normalize them, they are particularly powerful resources for any life cycle change that changes from the conventional. When families are in crisis, therapy needs to include conversations about meaningful family rituals. Innovatively and sympathetically crafted rituals, which both borrow richly from traditional life cycle rituals and are at the same time brand new, assist necessary changes and the growth of relationship possibilities. Rituals can remind us that communication can be representational, that form gives meaning, that repetition promotes learning and that the past is embedded in the present.

Every culture has their rituals. Rituals can connect us with the past and where each of us comes from while at the same time help move us into the future. “The capacity of rituals to both make and mark transitions makes them especially salient for life cycle changes. Life cycle events and transitions such as birth, marriage, and death are most frequently marked with familiar rituals” (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia Preto, 2011). Discussions that happen during the preparation for life cycle rituals may be opportunities to change such patterns.

Conclusion

Alcohol and family violence has a tremendous impact on the family cycle. The impact this has on both the perpetrator and the family can be difficult to overcome. With help from professionals and learning new family rituals, families can overcome the negative impacts this can bring.

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Reference

McGoldrick, M., Carter, B., & Garcia Preto, N. (2011). The Expanded Family Life Cycle: Individual, Family, and Social Perspectives (4th ed.). Mason, OH: Pearson Education.