How A Parent’s Drinking Affects Your Child

2008 February 28 by: Scott

Signs Of Alcoholism In A Parent

· The parent’s drinking interferes with family life.
· Parent is having job related problems.
· Parent appears be agitated, angry, sad or displaying unusual moods swings.
· Family plans are often changed or canceled.
· Parent is getting into fights or argument with other family member(s).
· Personality changes while under the influence of alcohol.
· Parent has periods of time when he or she can’t remember things or has “black outs.”
· Parent gets intoxicated more and more often.
· Alcohol becomes a big part of a parent’s life.
· Parent has on-going financial problems.
· Parent is spending more time with others who drink alcohol.
· Parent begins to hide alcohol in different places in the home.
· Parent denies that any of the signs above are occurring.

Some Reasons Why Alcoholism is a Disease

The medical field recognizes alcoholism as a disease because people who have this condition have uncontrollable cravings to drink. Blaming the drinker, yourself or others will not put an end to the condition. Taking the alcohol away from an alcoholic will not put an end to the condition. Just like other human diseases (acne, diabetes, coronary, cancer etc.), alcoholism will not go away by taking away the cause (i.e. not eating peanuts ends all acne). An alcoholic may have to battle this condition all of their life. Furthermore, this disease often requires direct medical interventions. Because a family member can’t control the parent’s condition and is not the cause of the parents problem drinking, the blame should be placed on the disease. The first thing your children need to know about regarding their parents’ drinking problem is that they are not at fault. The second thing that the children need to know is that the parent is ill, has a disease and needs help.