ALCOHOL and FAMILY

A FAMILY consists of a GROUP of persons tied by AFFECTION LOVE UNDERSTANDING INTERESTS FAMILY TIES

If a FAMILY starts having ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS its BALANCE is upset, its HARMONY is altered, ROLES and FUNCTIONS are MODIFIED

They start to ARGUE They BLAME each other They dont DIALOGUE anymore Up to: PHYSICAL VIOLENCE QUITTING home SELF-ISOLATION from family, from the COMMUNITY, TO HIDE the PROBLEM

SEXUAL INTERCOURSES LESS FREQUENT and WITHOUT RESPECT PROBLEMS of the COUPLE

OFTEN we see the so-called CHRONIC JEALOUSY In REALITY the PROBLEM is CAUSED by ALCOHOL which PROVOKES LACK of SEXUAL STIMULI and IMPOTENCE The drinker believes the partner is refusing sexual activity because he or she is NOT FAITHFUL to him/her.

Family EXPENSES increase to buy ALCOHOL BEVERAGES Family INCOME decreases on account problems at the WORKPLACE Family budget is WORSENING The partners ARGUE also for FINANCIAL REASONS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

ALL the RESPONSIBILITIES fall on the shoulders of the one who DOES NOT DRINK

The one who DOES NOT DRINK becomes PROTECTIVE towards the other family members, but in reality extending to them ANXIETY and WORRIES, and trying to form a COALITION AGAINST THE DRINKER

The Family members: reduce DIALOGUE and mutual UNDERSTANDING Reduce PROTECTION and SOLIDARITY The Family is no more a place of AFFECTION and EDUCATION Family is no longer UNITED facing the COMMUNITY

no dialogue no communication NO FUN NO AFFECTION The one WHO DRINKS is OFTEN ABSENT or QUARRELING Family then becomes a place where there is:

Relationship between the Family and the COMMUNITY is WORSENING No more keeping in touch with FRIENDS No more PLANNING LIVING STANDARD is worsening FAMILY SLOWLY GETS ISOLATED

BALANCE and HARMONY can be REINSTATE through a change IN LIFE STYLE Change involves the DRINKER ALL the FAMILY MEMBERS the COMMUNITY in the CLUB

ALCOHOL and SOCIAL PROBLEMS

-PROBLEMS at the WORKPLACE (QUARRELING, LACK OF ATTENTION, UNRELIABILITY) -DRIVING and DRINKING -VIOLENCE at HOME -CRIMINAL OFFENCES SOCIAL HARM: ACUTE CHRONIC - SEPARATION / DIVORCE - FINANCIAL PROBLEMS -IMPOVERISHMENT - HOUSING PROBLEMS -LEGAL PROBLEMS ( CRIMINAL and CIVIL LAW)

ALCOHOL does change your behaviour INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS ALL the PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE AFFECTED SHUTTING ONESELF UP ISOLATION

EXCESSIVE and FALSE FELLOWSHIP FALSE FRIENDS: ONLY to DRINK FIGHTING VIOLENCE CRIMINALITY Nicolini

Less EFFICIENCY PROBLEMS at the WORKPLACE More NON ATTENDANCE Can easily lose the JOB EMPLOYMENT BUREAU

SOCIAL PROBLEMS CONTACTS with the COMMUNITY are LESS FREQUENT FAMILY is slowly MARGINATED

REDUCTION of VISUAL FIELD (tunnel vision) More SENSITIVE to DAZZLING ALCOHOL and ROAD CRASHES with a B.A.C. as low as 0,2 gr./l. HAZARDS are UNDERESTIMATED EXCESSIVE CONFIDENCE in our own performances REACTION TIME slowed down LESS ATTENTION and CONCENTRATION

DIPLOPIA (seeing double) DISTORTED PERCEPTIONS up to ALLUCINATIONI IF B.A.C. INCREASES: PROBLEMS with COORDINATION of MOVEMENTS TROUBLES with NIGHT VISION REACTION TIME INCREASES FURTHER

REACTION TIME: The AVERAGE REACTION TIME of a sober driver is 0,75 SECONDS With B.A.C. at 0,5 gr./l. IT DOUBLES to 1,5 SECONDS In ITALY the max. Alcohol Blood Content (B.A.C.) to drive was 0,8 gr./l. NOW its 0,5 gr./l. In OTHER COUNTRIES its 0 to 0,2

10% of HOSPITALIZATIONS di WORKING DAYS LOST 5% of SOCIAL PENSIONS for invalidity ALCOHOL – RELATED SOCIAL BURDEN in ITALY

Alcohol causes nearly 1 in 10 of all ILL- HEALTH AND PREMATURE DEATH It causes 40 to 60% of ALL DEATHS CAUSED BY INTENTIONAL OR CAUSAL WOUNDS ALCOHOL – RELATED SOCIAL BURDEN in the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY W.H.O. Regional Office for Europe European Action Plan on Alcohol

ALCOHOL is N. 3 RISK FACTOR OF DEATH and DISABILITY ALCOHOL is the MAIN RISK FACTOR for YOUTH ALCOHOL – RELATED SOCIAL BURDEN in the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY Health High Institute Alcohol Observatory 2006

PHYSICAL AND PSYCHIC DESEASES LABOUR AND DOMESTIC ACCIDENTS ROAD ACCIDENTS MURDERS AND SUICIDES ALCOHOL – RELATED SOCIAL BURDEN in the the WORLD

In ITALY per year ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS In EUROPE (15 countries) about per year Death Triumph – Clusone (BG)