title: A common cause of alcoholism.
abstract: A common cause of alcoholism is the nonalcoholic. At least half of the nonalcoholics have a family member who is not alcoholic. The classic "enabler" is the caretaker of the alcoholic. Without the enabler, alcoholism would dwindle. The so-called innocent bystanders are not consciously intending to harm the alcoholic. Most of the time there is no conscious intention to help the alcoholic continue drinking and inflicting self-destruction. The innocent bystander must become guilty. The guilty must confront the alcoholic with the consequences of alcoholism. The concerned must refuse to make excuses for the alcoholic's failure and resentment. The innocent bystander may lack willpower more than the alcoholic by refusing to look alcoholism in the eye.
authors.affiliation: New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, White Plains.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Millman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012932:Social Facilitation