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The long reach of alcoholism within the family

Millions of Americans suffer from the psychological and physical disease of alcoholism.

The resulting emotionally destructive impact on the children of alcoholic parents and the family unit is enormous. Alcoholic parents usually act out their addiction in one of two negative ways: violent and abusive behavior or emotional unavailability and neglect.

People who grow up in an alcoholic family often demonstrate a pattern of specific emotional issues and behaviors as a result of their parent’s addiction and dysfunction.

For example, among alcoholic families, there is a high percentage of many manifestations of abuse — physical, verbal and sexual. The resulting dangerous climate in the home often pits the children against one another. As they struggle to survive the violence they may express their frustration by physically or verbally abusing each other. Some may develop bullying behaviors at school to deal with their fear, others in the family may withdraw emotionally retreating deep into themselves, while others may simply runaway from home.

In another pattern, the parent is more or less an invalid. He or she drinks and then passes out. The children are physically and emotionally neglected and need to take on the adult role of caretaker and parent to each other. In addition, they often become surrogate parents to both the addict and the non-addicted spouse.

In some families, the alcoholic parent alternates between both of these behaviors. Unfortunately, the non-alcoholic parent typically provides little comfort for the children. That parent’s energies are used up trying to cope with the alcoholic spouse. As the children begin to take care of one another they eventually feel they can’t trust or rely on adults. They may become hostile to all adults and, understandably, have problems dealing with authority figures.

As adults, children of alcoholics experience life in painful inner turmoil and a deep sense of personal shame because as children they often blamed themselves. Their self-esteem is damaged and that damage carries over and can negatively affect every aspect of adult life.

They often feel bitter and a sense of loss about the childhood they never had. Lacking role models for positive problem-solving, they often act out their bitterness, rage, low self-esteem and lack of trust in unhealthy ways that hurt themselves and others. They may become addicted themselves — to alcohol, food, sex, shopping or gambling and the risk that they will marry someone who is alcoholic is very high.

Fortunately, help is available. Many adult children of alcoholics participate in ACOA support groups, many of which are offered through Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. These programs are often held at local hospitals, churches and community centers. Individual and family counseling may also be helpful.

source: Gloucester Times

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