Alcoholism in parents is a significant concern. Approximately 6.6 million families report having at least one parent who is considered an alcoholic. This number is incredibly high and often goes unnoticed. Being aware of the risk factors for children of these families and making the decision to prevent your child from going through these obstacles is essential.
Parental Role Model
Many children and adolescents look up to their parents as their role models. Especially at a young age, many children will view their parents’ actions as an example of acceptable behavior in society. If your child has consistently watched you consume alcohol, the chances of them drinking as an adolescent are increased. It is important to remember the influence that our actions have on our children.
Health Effects
Children who grow up around alcoholic parents have increased chances of developing a variety of serious health problems. Some disorders that are more likely to occur in children with an alcoholic parent include:
- Future addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Asthma
- Eating disorders
- Emotional and attachment disorders
Along with these health issues, some cognitive and behavioral issues commonly arise in the children of an alcoholic parent. The following fundamental skills may be hindered in the process of the development of these children:
- Communication
- Temperament or anger management
- Self-control
- Coping strategies
These basic skills are important for children to have so that they can become functioning members of society and be able to handle various situations throughout life. As you have dealt with addiction yourself, you likely do not want to watch your child experience the same thing. Growing up around alcoholism increases the chances of them adopting addictive behaviors in their future. Many psychological disorders may occur with this background as well. It is important to be aware of the potential risks for your children growing up in this environment.
Communication
It is common for households containing alcoholic parents to lack communication between family members. Many children raised in this environment have reported that they were taught to not express their feelings and concerns growing up. This can take a significant toll on a child’s ability to communicate with others in the future and open up about their feelings if they need help. Be aware of communication habits in your family.
It is also common for parents with alcohol use disorder to expect their children to be near perfect. They hold their children to higher standards than they typically hold themselves to. This forces their children to push for success in hopes of parental approval. It can be challenging for a child when they watch their parents do the opposite. Being a proper role model for your child can help you prevent your children from developing future attachment and emotional disorders.
One other communication issue that is often reported in children raised in this type of household is the expectation to avoid discussing family problems. In these cases, the parents often understand that there is a problem in their family structure and may even realize that it is related to their alcoholism. Encouraging children to avoid disusing these topics can set the parent up to avoid important and honest conversations altogether. It also can normalize this form of family structure for the child and prevent them from feeling safe to open up about problems in their future.
Alcoholism has many effects on communication skills within the family structure and can create a toxic living environment for everyone in the family. Working with mental health professionals to counteract this reinforced behavior may be an essential intervention. Let your children know that it is okay and healthy to express their emotions and communicate through different problems they are experiencing.
Am I a Bad Parent?
As a parent struggling with alcoholism, you need to realize that your addiction does not automatically mean you are a bad parent. There are many parents affected by alcoholism who care immensely for their children and want the best for them. The negative effects of parental alcoholism on children are not intentional and can go unnoticed for a long period. Working toward sobriety and counteracting these risks for your children will help you and your family to be successful in the long run. Make the decision now to work towards sobriety and give your children and yourself the life you all deserve.
Working to improve your communication and overall family structure while going through recovery can help you counteract these possible risks and set you and the members of your family up for success. There is still time to work past these common potential risks and provide the support your children need.
Living with alcoholism can take a significant toll on your family members, especially your children. Raising children in an environment with alcohol consistently present can have many negative effects on their perceptions of society, overall health and development, and future likelihood of addiction. The chances of children in this environment acquiring psychological disorders and having other issues in their development process are greatly increased. Since children’s viewpoints and expectations for other members of society are often learned through parental behavior, their perception of alcohol and substances may be altered due to the use of alcohol in their homes. It is crucial to be aware of these potential concerns and work towards a sober lifestyle for the well-being of yourself and your children. To learn more about the negative effects alcoholism can have on children and to begin the process of recovery, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.