How Growing Up With Alcohol Parents Can Affect Children Psychologically

One such factor is the presence of stable family rituals, as highlighted by a study conducted by Wolin et al. in 1979. Adult children of alcoholics carry traits such as hypervigilance, perfectionism, and control issues, alongside maladaptive coping mechanisms like withdrawal or people-pleasing. The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

The Child May Feel Guilty

These children may have difficulty with attention and concentration due to increased anxiety levels related to a chaotic home environment. Unstructured bedtimes and mealtimes as well as witnessing domestic violence and safety issues all contribute to an increase in learning problems and behavioral problems for these children at school. It is difficult for children to focus on higher order thinking and learning when basic survival needs are not met. Similar to the home environment, communication between substance abusing parents and teachers and the larger school system is poor. Many parents struggling with an SUD had difficulty with the school system in their own school-age years and avoid interacting with it due to their own anxiety or shame. Homeostasis refers to the idea that it is the tendency of a system to seek stability and equilibrium (Brown & Christensen, 1986).

• These groups are based on the 12-step model and work with family members and loved ones of alcoholics.
• Recognizing these patterns is a vital step toward healing and breaking generational cycles.
• Children of alcoholics often experience psychological consequences as a result of their parent’s addiction.
• The significant increase in out-of-home child placements in the 1980s and 1990s closely paralleled the pandemic drug addiction in the United States during those decades (Jaudes & Edwo, 1997).

People can also consider seeing a therapist one-on-one to create healthy coping strategies and talk through their pain. In some cases, drinking becomes a misguided attempt to empathize with or better understand their alcoholic parents’ behavior. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) often stems from a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental influences.

Likelihood of Substance Use Disorder

Children whose parents are drug or alcohol dependent are more likely to experience behavioral issues like anxiety and depression. This can lead to emotional problems as well as challenges with schoolwork, peer relationships, and social activities. Thankfully, there are several interventions that can help break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. Pediatricians in particular are in a unique position to identify and assess drug addiction treatment children at risk for parental substance abuse as part of their routine family assessment. Therapy offers a safe space for individuals to explore and process their emotions, helping them overcome the scars of their upbringing.

Support Groups and Online Resources

In Al-Anon and Nar-Anon they receive support from other family members and learn they did not cause the SUD, nor can they control it or cure it. Alcohol abuse within a family leads to dysfunction and conflict, negatively impacting all members. Parental substance use disorders can disrupt established attachments, routines, and communication, creating a chaotic environment.

• Other consequences of parental substance abuse can include financial difficulties such as decreased household income.
• The role of the social worker may include providing in-home therapy supporting parents in being more effective with parental supervision, providing structure, and facilitating healthy caring communication.
• Individuals with SUDs cannot be understood and treated effectively without considering the impact on the whole family.
• On some occasions, an adolescent’s request to use the car may be met with verbal abuse by a parent; other times, the request may receive consideration and support.
• Whether you are the adult child of a parent with alcohol problems, or a parent currently struggling with alcohol addiction, help is available for you.

The Impact of Alcoholic Parents on Child Development

• On the other hand, people often go in the opposite direction, mirroring the same bad behaviors they witnessed during childhood.
• Children living with an alcoholic father may experience neglect in terms of receiving adequate nutrition and medical care, leading to health problems like malnutrition, dental problems, and weakened immune systems.
• Support groups are also a great therapy option because they give the adult children of alcoholics a chance to meet people who have had similar circumstances and share their experiences.

Parents’ use of alcohol and teens’ lower performance in school have shown an association in research. This could be related in part to the behavior issues among children of parents with an AUD. Children of parents who misuse alcohol are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and unexplained physical symptoms (internalizing behaviors). They are also more likely to display rule-breaking, aggressiveness, and impulsivity (externalizing behaviors) in childhood.

• Three studies used the Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule (CPMS) to measure behavioural outcomes in Indian children exposed to household paternal alcohol use 50, 51, 59.
• Coping mechanisms and available resources also influence the level of impact experienced.
• Specifically, we hypothesized that one pathway of influence of parents’ alcohol use on their children’s development involves the proximal mechanism of disrupted parenting practices.
• However, our sensitivity analysis on parental problems related to the severity of the alcohol abuse indicated that our definition separates the severe and less severe cases of alcohol abuse.
• These long-term effects frequently influence how they form and maintain relationships, especially after years of being placed in caregiving roles or witnessing erratic behavior at home.
• NaCoA offers programs and resources to help victims of parental alcoholism come to terms with their trauma and work on eliminating it.

Nine studies examined exposure to paternal alcohol consumption, and four studies looked at the effect of maternal alcohol consumption (Table 2). This association has even been extended to an increased risk of premature death 8, 9. One possible mechanism for this association is through adversity encouraging health-harming behaviours and reduced self-efficacy as adults 10. There is also a notable association between early adversity and various risk behaviours and mental health problems 11, 12 including adult alcoholism 13, depression 14, and suicidality 15.

High Risk of Becoming Addicted

It should be noted that blended families with stepparents and stepchildren have their own developmental needs that are impaired by SUDs as well, but those are not detailed in this table. By actively participating in treatment and recovery efforts, you and your family can start to heal from the consequences of parental alcoholism and build a healthier foundation for the future. These emotional and mental health signs can have long-lasting effects on a child’s well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these issues due to an alcoholic parent, it is important to seek professional help to address and manage these challenges.

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Children in households with alcohol addiction may have to mature at an accelerated pace. In these households, children may have to take on a caretaker role for their parents or siblings. Although assuming this type of family role at a young age can be a lot of pressure, some positive character traits can develop. Therefore, children may experience difficulties with attention, memory, concentration and learning due to central nervous system damage caused by parental substance abuse and its effect on brain development.

They may be too harsh of themselves and may see themselves as worthless or incapable of doing things which other kids can do with ease. They may also feel that they are different from other children or they may feel they are not good enough. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, therapy with a marriage and family therapist (MFT) can help. Another way to support children is by encouraging them to talk with their teachers, counselors and other adults. Additionally, encouraging them to keep a journal of their emotions can help them identify them and learn how to cope with them effectively.