Alcohol and Substance Abuse
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV)of the American Psychiatric Association the life time risk for Alcohol Dependence is 15% in the general population. However, l5% is a small part of the people who actually suffer because of alcoholism. Most alcoholics have a spouse or significant other, plus at least two children. So we can add three more people to each person who has a problem with alcohol. So 4 X 15% = 60%. Many other people are impacted in smaller ways, such as in the work place, where they have to pick up the slack for an alcoholic that missed work. Other people are impacted in a major way from having a family member killed by a drunk driver. Clearly alcohol problems are one the nation’s biggest source of pain and suffering. In my experience, the most common problem for a spouse or significant other that lives with a problem drinker is depression. Being angry and scared day after day and year after year is extremely stressful. Anger and fear are supposed to be survival mechanisms that help us to fight or flee in physical emergencies. An analogy might be that you are driving down a two lane highway and decide to pass another car. Suddenly, you realize that an oncoming car is closer than you thought, so you tromp down into passing gear so you can get around faster. This is what it is like when adrenaline is released when we are scared or angry. Imagine what would happen to your car if you drove day after day in passing gear for several months. Obviously, your car would use much more energy and eventually breakdown. Well, the same thing happens to your body causing endless medical and emotional problems. One of the most common is clinical depression in the form of Major Depressive Disorder. Being in a constant state of anger and/or anxiety uses up certain chemicals in the brain which leads to symptoms of depression. We know that depression, chronic anxiety, panic disorder and many physical problems can be caused by long term stress. Most, if not all, of these problems can be treated successfully with psychotherapy. Sometimes psychotherapy is combined with medication. There are many effective techniques to help you cope with the stress of living with a problem drinker. It is not necessary to continue to suffer. The problem drinker does not have to get better for you to get better. I have been working with family members of problem drinkers for over thirty years and know that most people can get well even if the problem drinker does not. Let me help you help yourself get better.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 507 383-1066 or email Dr. Asper at: draspermn@yahoo.com |
