From consuming alcohol, in a social setting with an intention to celebrate, to buying someone a drink as a gesture of goodwill, drinking is woven into the fabric of many societies around the world. But when someone’s drinking habit crosses the line from moderate or social drinking to alcohol abuse it is referred to as alcoholism or alcohol addiction. The impact of the drinker’s addiction can manifest directly on each member of his/her family. The effects of alcoholism on families has long-term implications in most cases and are generally difficult to overcome. Let us now see particularly how alcoholism affects the children in the family.
Children, as victims of alcoholism often go unnoticed. Alcoholic parents tend to think that their actions have very little impact on the lives of their children but nothing can be far from the truth. Studies show that the effects of an alcoholic parent on a child are often long-lasting, even affecting the adult life of the child.
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s development. Alcohol abuse often interferes with parenting skills and relationship with spouse, thereby affecting the home environment which proves to be quite disturbing for the healthy living and growth of a child.
Some major effects of alcoholism on children are mentioned below:
1. Consequences on the child
Children of alcoholic parents often get confused about their home situation and the role pf their parents in the family. These children are often fearful, mistrusting and are unable to emotionally connect with others. They suffer from low self esteem, depression, fear, and guilt. They may keep to themselves or may lash-out and get into trouble at school. Often they learn to parcel out their feelings to avoid upsetting the alcoholic parent or triggering another bout of drinking.
2. Poor Academic Performance
In a study conducted by NIAAA, it was found that children raised by alcoholic parents score much lower on IQ, verbal and reasoning tests than those raised by nonalcoholic parents. School-going children of alcoholic parents experience problems with academics such as lower levels of concentration, repeating grades and failing to graduate out of high school. These children tend to drop out of school and also have difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships with their classmates and teachers. Motivational difficulties resulting from stressful home environment are mainly responsible for their poor academic performance at school.
3. Behavioral symptoms
Children from alcoholic families may have the following symptoms:
a. Low Self esteem
b. High levels of stress or anxiety
c. Feelings of guilt
d. Loneliness
e. Depression
f. Impulsive behavior
g. Emotional swings
Children brought up by alcoholic parents also demonstrate certain behavioral problems which include lying, stealing, fighting and hurling abuses at others.
4. Psychological Disorders
Parental alcoholism is linked to a number of psychological disorders in children. Parental anxiety or changes in the family or life situations upsets the normal emotional functioning of a child. Several studies have shown that children from alcoholic families showed higher levels of depression, anxiety, and aggression compared to children from non-alcoholic families.
Being brought up in an alcoholic family also suggests that these children are more susceptible to child abuse, incest, and battery. The family environment may also help transmission of alcoholism to the children at a very early age. The children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholics as adults.
5. Emotional abuse and trauma
As victims of alcoholism, children are subjected to traumatic emotional abuse and neglect which has far-reaching effects on their personalities. Alcoholic parents often refuse to admit that their children are affected by their actions. The child observes the behavior of the parent under the influence of alcohol. In order to cope with the various dilemmas, the child learns to go along with denial and silence, trying to act as if nothing is wrong.
Finally, alcoholism is a serious problem which causes irreparable damage. There are many support groups for the children of alcoholic parents. These children still have a chance of a healthy life if they get proper help and can grow up to be healthy and happy adults.
