Working people are affected by family members and others with alcohol problems. Non-alcoholic members of alcoholics' families use 10 times as much sick leave as members of families where alcoholism is not a factor. Alcohol problems can affect a family in many ways, even causing its breakup. Among current drinkers, separated and divorced adults are three times as likely as their married counterparts to have had a life partner who was a problem drinker or with alcoholism. An estimated one in four children lives in a family where a parent drinks too much. Among adult drinkers, more than half say they have a blood relative with alcoholism or who was a problem drinker.

Alcoholism can seriously interfere with your life, particularly if you're living with a spouse, partner, parent or child with alcoholism. Many treatment programs provide family education programs to help you understand the illness and how you can support the recovery of your family member. You may consider going to an Al-Anon meeting or, if you are a teenager, to Ala-Teen. These support groups can be invaluable in helping you come to grips with another person's alcoholism.