Families Living in Closets: Talking about Alcoholism In and Out of Family Households

Abstract

Alcoholism is a disease that has a detrimental effect on the physical and mental health of both the alcoholic individual and his or her family members, especially those who live with the alcoholic. This case offers vignettes from the author’s life to illustrate how his family coped and continues to cope with alcoholism. Examining this communication in conjunction with research about seeking help for alcoholism, support for those who are affected by it, and through a lens of communication privacy management (Petronio, 2002) helps to illuminate some of the tensions families face as they feel they are forced to conceal alcoholism from others. These tensions can affect family members’ mental health as well as the mental and physical health of the alcoholic.