Alcoholism's cause is unknown. Much research is being done to establish the cause of this disease. To date no definitive cause has been determined. Brain chemistry and genetics both show promising evidence of involvement. It is the strong feeling of medical and scientific professionals that a combination of factors is responsible for this biochemical imbalance.
Alcoholism affects families.
Nowhere is the devastation of alcoholism more visible than in the catastrophic effect it has on families. Often it has been said that the family becomes sicker than the alcoholic. As members of the family try to cope with the chronic stress of the alcoholism in a relative or loved one, they too become physically, mentally, and spiritually disturbed. Spouses, children, parents, siblings and other relatives emotionally connected to the alcoholic usually do wrong things for right reasons, resulting in a sense of failure. Alcoholism IS treatable.