Although most people abuse alcohol because it makes them feel better about themselves, the truth is that over-use of alcohol tends to negatively impact the abuser’s personality. Increased irritability, poor judgment and reasoning are just a couple of ways that alcohol damages the human personality and relationships by extension. One study suggested that abuse of alcohol is behind as much as 40 percent of instances of serious domestic violence. Alcoholism is attributable to verbal and physical abuse of the spouse and the children and carries a great responsibility for the break up of marriages. Children living in the home with an alcoholic have lower grades, higher rates of depression and frequently feel socially isolated.