Families of alcoholics often go through problems that are as severe as the disease of alcoholism. Even though they are not to blame, they suffer because of dealing with everyday difficulties facing the alcoholic that are passed on to the family. The physical and mental abuse that families endure can last for a lifetime.
Psychological Impact on Children
Children of alcoholics face numerous problems as they grow up, according to ProjectKnow.com. They can suffer from guilt, fear, shame, depression and loneliness. They may also develop low self-esteem and often have a fear of abandonment. They may experience nightmares, often the result of feeling responsible for the arguments and fights that occur because of alcoholism. As they become older, they may have trouble in school and difficulty in developing friendships or relationships. They may develop addictions of their own.
Children's Health Disorders
Total health care costs for children of alcoholics are 32 percent greater than for children of other families, according to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI). Children of alcoholics have more physical and mental health disorders than other children. Alcoholic parents are also more likely to commit child abuse than parents who are non-alcoholic. A woman who is an alcoholic can be a threat to her unborn child. Drinking during pregnancy may lead to birth defects, fetal alcohol syndrome or miscarriages. The child may also develop learning disabilities.
Stress
Many family members suffer from stress when someone in the family is an alcoholic. But the stress may affect each member differently. Families often become dysfunctional. Some spouses may develop strong reactions in response to the alcoholism and help children deal with it. But the children still suffer because of the stressful conditions they try to hide or avoid.
Increased Odds of Passing Along Alcoholism
Children of alcoholics are four times more likely than others to develop alcoholism, according to the NCADI. Heredity plays a role, but environment may also influence a child to drink more often. Many children of alcoholics are more likely than other children to eventually marry into families with alcoholic problems. Many alcoholics have had at least one parent who suffered from alcoholism. Poor communication among family members makes it difficult for families of alcoholics to solve problems. They have more negative interactions with each other. Violence is a problem in families with an alcoholic, often between spouses but also between parents and children. This unhealthy interaction also leads to separation and divorce.
