The effects of parental alcoholism on children
If the parents have alcohol problems, it is more than likely that the children will suffer some effects.
A common misconception many people dealing with alcoholism have is that their drinking is not affecting anyone but them. Of course, that is not true, and children of alcoholic parents may be among the most affected. Unfortunately, the effects of growing up around alcoholism are sometimes so profound that they last a lifetime. This can affect the development of children, becoming adults with emotional , social, relationship problems and more.
Alcoholism in a parent can have a great negative impact on their children, even into adult life.
Index
NORMALIZATION OF ALCOHOLISM
Because they may not have had a good role model since childhood and may have never had traditional or harmonious family relationships, adult children of alcoholics think that alcohol in life and aggressive behavior is normal … when actually, it is unacceptable.
Because alcohol use becomes normal in families with alcoholism, children can often have a hard time distinguishing between good and bad role models. 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 .
TRUST ISSUES
After growing up in an environment where denial, lying, and keeping secrets may have been the norm, adult children of alcoholics can develop serious trust issues. The broken promises of the past tell them that trusting someone will backfire in the future … And they begin to have serious relationship problems with others.
If the alcoholic father of a child was mean or abusive when drunk (or the mother), adult children can grow up fearing people who get angry. They can spend their lives avoiding conflict or confrontation of any kind, worrying that it might turn violent.
THEY THINK THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH FOR ANYONE
Adult children of alcohol-dependent parents will grow up thinking that they will never be good enough. They may have low self-esteem and develop deep feelings of inadequacy. The children of an alcoholic parent may find themselves thinking that they are different from other people and therefore not good enough.
Consequently, they may avoid social situations, have a hard time making friends, and become isolated as a result. They can even be your worst critics, even having anxiety attacks, depression or social isolation.
THEY NEED THE APPROVAL OF OTHERS
In addition to judging themselves too harshly, some adult children of alcoholics constantly seek other people’s approval. They can behave in a complacent way even to those who treat them badly just out of fear of criticism or being treated badly.
Perhaps to avoid criticism or anger from their alcoholic parents these children become responsible and overly perfectionists … in adult life they can become workaholics. Although it can also be the opposite and repeat the bad behaviors that you have witnessed during childhood.
FEAR OF ABANDONMENT
It may also be that adults of alcoholic parents have developed a fear of abandonment since their father was not emotionally or physically available. This can lead to toxic relationships just because they don’t want to or know how to be alone. They are afraid to face their own fears or their “emotional demons.”
The emotional and psychological scars that children of alcoholic parents can develop can be so deep that they last into adulthood. If you have a problem with alcohol and have children, it is vital that you seek help as soon as possible. You must focus on love for your children and that this motivates you enough to be able to overcome this devastating addiction. They deserve that positive change, and so do you.
Similarly, if you are the child of a parent who is or was an alcoholic (or had other addiction problems) and you are experiencing one or more of the problems listed above or any other type of psychological distress, seek support.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.