In an alcoholic family the will of individuals is disabled. Put simply, to function the will needs imagination, reasoning, perception and judgmen. Without these attributes the Will is blind. The use of these attributes in an alcoholic family is repeatedly blocked by shame linked to unspoken family secret as well as anxiety and fear typical of the unpredictability of a family marred by addiction. In other words it is impossible to act freely and use your will if you constantly have to worry about the impact this will have on a strained family system that is working hard to cover up the shame and ensure survival by controlling and inhibiting any spontaneity.