[Dysfunction in the family life cycle: alcohol abuse and its consequences on the family].

This paper studies how alcohol abuse interacts during the different stages of family-life cycle thus enhancing the possibilities of dysfunctions thereof. Formation of a family, its adapting to the first-born, the upbringing of preschool, school, and teenage children are the topics under review as well as the time when children leave home, and the later-life period when the elderly couple goes through the "empty nest" feeling. Alcohol abuse and its consequences upon the different family members are screened up. Finally, family therapy relevance when dealing with the treatment of alcoholism is put forward.