They show up as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, stress, anger, and relationship problems. Children of alcoholics may also struggle with substance abuse themselves, as they may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their emotions and stress. They may engage in risky behavior, such as underage drinking or drug use, leading to legal problems and health issues. A lack of emotional support and guidance can cause a child to develop an insecure attachment style. An insecure attachment style can affect an individual’s ability to foster healthy relationships later in life. An individual who was raised by neglectful parents may struggle to trust others, develop emotional connections, or communicate in healthy ways.
Redefine What’s Possible for You In Recovery
Connect with us today to learn how we can help your loved ones embrace a healthier, alcohol-free life. Tim enjoys writing about addiction and recovery, this topic has personally affected him, fuelling his desire to help others. Depression is often characterised by feelings of low mood, not wanting to take part in activities that they previously enjoyed, or difficulties in feeling happy or enjoying activities. This may be developed as the result of having an alcoholic parent who was critical or overly harsh of the individual as a result of their alcohol consumption.
Parental alcohol abuse and ineffective coping methods
One glass of wine, maybe two, can quiet the mind, effects of having an alcoholic parent but what about a third or a fourth? There’s self-care—the buzzword of my generation—and then there’s self-medication. Stephanie Saxton, a mother of two from Louisville, Kentucky, feels the same way. She pours herself a Chardonnay almost every night, often around her kids’ bedtime. It’s not my only outlet—it just happens to be the most convenient one,” she says.
- For anyone reading who identifies with these experiences, know that you are not alone, and it is not your fault.
- The emotional weight carried by the child is compounded by feelings of guilt and responsibility, as they struggle with the misconception that they might somehow be to blame for the parent’s addiction.
- Once the children of alcoholic parents grow up, their development will have been permanently influenced by how they grew up.
- Children of alcoholics may benefit from educational programs and group programs such as Al-Anon and Alateen.
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
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Because alcohol use is normalized in families with alcoholism, children can often struggle to distinguish between good role models and bad ones. As a result, many will end up feeling conflicted, confused, and self-conscious when they realize that drinking is not considered normal in other families. Because as a child life felt out of control and unpredictable, as an adult you try to control everyone and everything that feels out of control (which is a lot). You struggle to express yourself, subconsciously remembering how unsafe it was to speak up in your family.
