How a Parent’s Alcohol Use Disorder Affects Kids
In a time where many people are using alcohol to cope with added stress and anxiety it’s a fair question to ask how alcohol use disorder affects these kids at home.
Before COVID at least one in five households had a parent with alcohol use disorder, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. That is an estimated 28 million children with at least one parent with alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).
How a parent’s alcohol use disorder affects their kid
Problems with trust
Most children that have a parent who drinks alcohol in excess will have a hard time trusting others. Typically that’s due to broken promises, unpredictable behavior, or the need for the child to take care of him or herself.
It affects their self-worth
In a lot of households that experience alcohol use disorder, the parent(s) are impulsive and quick to anger. A child looks to their parent(s) for approval and acceptance and if they get anger or emotional highs and lows they begin to think they’re the problem as opposed to the alcohol. Additionally, erratic parent(s) can be either physically or emotionally abusive, furthering the destruction of their child’s self-esteem and self-worth.
Increases the likelihood of alcoholism (alcohol use disorder)
When a trusted adult or parent is drunk or always drinking it normalizes alcohol. Therefore a child, when they have the opportunity to drink as they get older will be more likely to participate in unhealthy drinking. Further, it can and likely will contribute to the child developing their own alcohol use disorder.
What can you do?
As a parent, you can enter treatment. Lifeline Connections commits to long-term wellness for our patients. For example, we offer an integrated, holistic approach that includes substance use disorder treatment, therapy and case management. Our doctors specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Contact us and reclaim your life.
Enroll your child into Camp Mariposa®
Camp Mariposa® is a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. Children and teens attend transformational weekend camps every other month for a year or more. Youth ages 9-12 participate in fun, traditional camp activities combined with educational and support sessions led by mental health professionals.
Updated 4/13/2023
