Alcoholism and the Family

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Alcoholism doesn't discriminate…it doesn't matter what your sexual preference is, your nationality, your heritage or your age. Millions of people around the world seek comfort from the stressors of daily life in a bottle of liquor. Without the necessary help, alcoholism is a progressive disease that can rip families apart. Suzanne spoke with the McCloskey family, who struggled with the effects of this addiction for years. Instead of breaking down, they tackled the alcoholism head-on, and came out stronger and healthier.

The Disease

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an alcoholic is characterized as having the following 4 symptoms:

Craving-A strong need, or urge, to drink.

Loss of control-Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.

Physical dependence-Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety after stopping drinking.

Tolerance-The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

Treatment of alcoholism is similar to most forms of drug rehabilitation. The process may include detoxification, taking prescribed medications to help prevent a return to drinking once drinking has stopped and individual and/or group counseling.

Breaking The Cycle

Kay McCloskey is the 12-step meeting leader at Eagleville Hospital in Pennsylvania, a rehabilitation facility that offers prevention tactics, training, research, and treatment to those suffering from addiction. She has a loving husband, and the support of her three grown children. But Kay's life has been one of ups and downs, as she struggled with her addiction to alcohol. After six trips to rehab with no sign of success, Kay had a epiphany eight years ago. She had hit her low point, and her family was unraveling. During her seventh stint in rehab, she had what she refers to as a ‘spiritual awakening." She has been sober ever since, and devotes a great deal of her time to staying well and helping others on their path to recovery.

Looking back, Kay believes she has been an alcoholic her entire life, although her heavy drinking began in her forties. Her children were in high school and becoming more independent, leaving her to feel lonely and helpless. While her husband and children began to see significant changes in Kay's behavior, she was in denial. Against her will, she went to rehab-- repeatedly. She was neglectful and irresponsible with her children.

When the kids would come home and find Kay passed out on the sofa, they often stayed with friends for days on end to avoid the situation. Kay's daughter Tara remembers being infuriated with her mother, not fully understanding that her mother's addiction was a disease. Kay's son Kevin had never been exposed to this type of behavior, so he didn't know what to think or do. Tara eventually became a member of Al-Anon, a support group for families and friends of alcoholics. And Kay's son Kevin opted to open up to friends for support.

Luckily, Kay's rehabilitation stay eight years ago was the last.Kay's husband Stephen adds that when Kay got sober, things looked up for the entire family. He's happy that the family stuck it out and came through their ordeal with a better understanding of Kay's addiction.