The Effects of Parental Alcoholism on Children

The Effects of Parental Alcoholism on Children Addiction Alcohol Use Children of Alcoholics Print The Effects of Parental Alcoholism on Children By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on May 06, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 08, 2020 Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin More in Addiction Alcohol Use Children of Alcoholics Binge Drinking Withdrawal and Relapse Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery One misconception that many people dealing with alcoholism have is that their drinking is not affecting anyone else. Of course, thats not true, and children of alcoholic parents can be among those most impacted. Unfortunately, the effects of growing up around alcoholism are sometimes so profound that they last a lifetime, affecting the way kids-turned-adults see themselves and others, interact in relationships, and more. Parents struggling with alcoholism may be surprised or concerned after reading on about the impact their addiction can have on their children now and through adulthood. Their kids, however, may find relief knowing what may have contributed to some of the issues they may face today. 13 Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics Normalization of Alcoholism Because they may not have had a good example to follow from their childhood and potentially never experienced traditional or harmonious family relationships, adult children of alcoholics may have to guess at what it means to be normal. 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.?? Trust Issues After growing up in an atmosphere where denial, lying, and keeping secrets may have been the norm, adult children of alcoholics can develop  serious trust problems. Broken promises of the past tell them that trusting someone will backfire on them in the future.?? As a result of trust issues or the lack of self-esteem, adult children of alcoholics will often struggle with romantic relationships or avoid getting close to others. If a childs  alcoholic parent was mean or abusive when they were drunk, adult children can grow up with a fear of all angry people. They may spend their lives avoiding conflict or confrontation of any kind, worrying that it could turn violent. Self-Judgment Some adult children of alcoholics find it difficult to give themselves a break. If they had a tumultuous upbringing, they often dont feel adequate when comparing themselves to others and feel that they are never good enough. They may have little self-worth and low self-esteem and can develop deep feelings of inadequacy. Children of an alcoholic parent may find themselves thinking they are different from other people and therefore not good enough. Consequently, they may avoid social situations, have difficulty making friends, and isolate themselves as a result. Many adult children of alcoholics  take themselves very seriously  and can be their own worst critics, leading to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.?? It can often be difficult for an adult child of an alcoholic to lighten up at social gatherings when they associate these events with trauma, tension, or feelings of dread. Approval-Seeking Behaviors In addition to judging themselves too harshly, some  adult children of alcoholics constantly seek approval  from others.?? They can become people-pleasers who are crushed if someone is not happy with them and live in fear of any kind of criticism. Perhaps to avoid criticism or the anger of their alcoholic parent, many children from alcoholic homes become  super responsible or perfectionists, and can become overachievers or workaholics. On the other hand, it is not uncommon for a person to go in the opposite direction, mirroring the same bad behaviors they may have witnessed during childhood. If an alcoholic parent was emotionally or physically unavailable, the adult child can develop a debilitating  fear of abandonment and, as a result, hold on to toxic relationships just because they dont want to be alone. A Word From Verywell The emotional and psychological scars that children of alcoholics can develop can be so deep that they last well into adulthood. If you have an alcohol problem and you have children in the home, please  try to find help. Focusing on the love of your children and how your drinking may be affecting them can go a long way toward motivating you to scale back your drinking or stop it altogether. They deserve that positive changeâ€"and so do you. Likewise, if you are the child of a parent who is or was an alcoholic (or had other addiction problems) and are experiencing one or more of the issues above or any sort of psychological distress, please seek out  support.  You are not alone, and you deserve help and treatment. Real Stories From Adult Children of Alcoholism