There is a higher than typical probability that family members of substance abusers have been physically or sexually abused. It is always good and healing for the patient to talk about prior physical or sexual abuse they have suffered with their primary care physician. Unlike the alcoholic, family members can recover from the effects of alcoholism in the family very quickly. Ala-teen is a treatment program for adolescent alcoholics. A child who presents with headaches and many behavioral problems at school should be screened for family problems that may be affecting his health.
Depression always indicates substance abuse problems in the person or in the family.
If a patient tells you that there are no substance abuse problems in their family, you should let it go and not bring up the subject again until and unless the patient brings it up. Any patient who reports dealing with an alcoholic father should be considered at risk for depression, abuse, and even suicide. Family members of alcoholics are less likely to have alcohol or other drug problems themselves. Often the second child plays the role of scapegoat in the Alcoholic Family and it is likely that he or she will seek attention through destructive behavior.