When Addiction Hits Home: A Cross-Sectional Study of Family Burden in Alcohol Abuse Based on FBIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i5.717Keywords:
Alcohol addiction, family burden, mental health, public health, caregiver.Abstract
Background: Caring for a person with alcohol dependence places a significant emotional, physical, and social burden on caregivers. These individuals often face stigma, disrupted family dynamics, and ongoing stress as they support their loved ones through cycles of addiction and relapse. Unlike other chronic conditions, alcohol use disorders present unique caregiving challenges due to their unpredictability and long-term impact. Despite this, limited research exists on caregiver burden in such contexts. This study aims to assess the level of burden experienced by caregivers and explore the sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing it.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 142 family members of individuals with alcohol use disorders. Participants were recruited from three de-addiction centres in Kanyakumari district—Puthuvasantham Centre, Jesuit Ministry, and New Life Centre —as well as from selected community settings. Data were collected using the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS).
Results: Mean burden scores indicated high disruption in various areas of family life: routine activities (194±13.16), leisure (185.25±13.93), interactions (196±19.68), physical health (91.5±9.5), mental health (130.5±72.5), and subjective burden (1.54±0.53).
Conclusion: This study reveals the substantial and multidimensional burden carried by caregivers of individuals with alcohol dependence. The findings call for urgent implementation of structured support systems and evidence-based interventions tailored to caregivers’ needs. Recognizing caregiver distress as a public health priority is essential—not only to safeguard their mental and physical well-being, but also to strengthen the overall success of addiction treatment and recovery efforts. Sustainable policy frameworks must be developed to bring long-overdue visibility and resources to this often overlooked, yet critical, group.
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