How A Parent’s Drinking Affects Your Child

2008 February 28 by: Scott

What A Parent Can Do To Help Their Child

· If you are the parent who has a drinking problem, get help. Contact your medical doctor, health insurance company, employee assistance program, religious affiliation or Alcoholics Anonymous.
· The parent can enroll themselves and their children in support setting. Al-Anon and Alateen are nationally based program throughout the United States. Check your phone book or Internet for the chapter closest to you. These programs, along with Alcoholics Anonymous will assist you in taking the right steps to help the drinking parent.
· Have a family intervention. If you (the other parent) and your children have a talking relationship with the drinking parent, sit down with the entire family. This may include relatives, friends, co-workers and anyone else who the drinking parent may respect. Before you meet with the drinking parent, meet with your intervention family team. Discuss what you will say and how you want to be loving and supportive while you say:

“We love you and we want you to stop drinking.”

“We want you to get help.”

“Even if you don’t think you have a problem, please see your doctor.”

“We love you and we want you to get help.”

· Don’t be surprised if the parent refuses to get help. This does not mean that other family members can’t seek help to get support for themselves. You can’t control the drinking parent. You can control yourself

· A parent may have to notify the school counselor if the kids need additional support. This school counselor, nurse, social worker or psychologist may have additional information to provide you as well as names and phone numbers of outside agencies that can help.

· Do not be ashamed or embarrassed! If the drinking parent had heart disease would you or your child be ashamed or embarrassed? Don’t let these feelings stop you from getting help!