Parents who abuse alcohol could cause a negative impact on their children's lives . Feelings of anger and neglect can follow a child throughout adulthood and have a detrimental effect on his relationships with others. Studies have shown that a child may be more likely to follow in footsteps of his parents and have the same addictive behaviors.
Aggresive Behavior
Aggressive behavior is one of the first characteristics that a child might develop from having a parent who abuses alcohol. This behavior could be changed or prevented in a positive way with the aid of family members, teachers and others people in the community in which the child looks up to. If the negative behavior continues, it could lead to academic failure. Often, the child may suffer social problems, according to National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Warning Signs
According to the National Council On Child Abuse and Family Violence, 8 million children have parents who are abusers of either alcohol or drugs. A child may show warning signs of having an alcoholic parent. She may act out in anger with other children, or you might find her lying about things. When reprimanded, the child may become scared of her parents finding out, or she may be causing trouble because she wants that extra attention that she is not receiving at home.
Environment
Children have physical and emotional needs that often get unnoticed by parents who abuse alcohol. The environment that the children are placed in is often unpredictable and chaotic. The children can find themselves role playing. The oldest child playing the "hero", taking care of the other siblings while the parenting skills are lacking. Other children may become trouble-makers, and some resort to isolation, often becoming shy and unresponsive to other children.
Cycle Of Addiction
Alcoholism is common in children of addicts, often seeing the child going through the same vicious cycle of addiction, according to National Council On Child Abuse and Family Violence. Criminal acts, teen pregnancy and other mental and emotional issues may arise. The children may become institutionalized in either jail or a rehabilitation center. Children may also be taken out of their home if the alcohol abuse becomes really bad, or they could be put in foster care or end up living on the streets.
Solution
It is vital that children have a positive and honest relationship with their parents. Those who suffer from alcohol abuse need to seek help immediately in order to restore and improve the family relationship. There are many supportive groups and programs available to help those families that are dealing with addiction. The first step is realizing that your drinking has become a problem, and the second step is willing to do something about the problem.
