Children Of Alcoholics And Addicts

Extracted from: U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administers
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

Alcoholism and drug addiction is taking a toll on the American family. Currently, about 8.3 million children in the United States, approximately 11%, live with at least one parent who is actively alcoholic/drug dependent. The toll on these children is immense. Children of Addiction (COA’s) are at significantly greater risk for:

• Mental illness or emotional problems
  
• Physical health problems
  
• Learning problems, including difficulty with cognitive and verbal skills, conceptual reasoning and abstract thinking.
  

In addition, children whose parents abuse alcohol or drugs are almost three times more likely to be verbally, physically or sexually abused; and four times more likely than other children to be neglected. Finally, there is strong evidence that addiction tens to run in families. COA’s are four times more likely than non-COA’s to develop alcohol or drug problems.

Children living in alcohol or drug dependent homes are regularly confronted with denial, shame, and silence about their family experience. The unpredictability and irrationality caused by the addiction in the family often creates an atmosphere that is blaming, emotionally hurtful and sometimes physically unsafe. COA’s often feel obligated to take on the parental responsibilities. For many, this results in a loss of childhood.

If you or your spouse has an addiction, it’s very important that your children receive help to avoid the dire consequences of living with an addict/alcoholic. A number of resources are available to help you help your children. Ala-Teen or Al-Anon, school-based student assistance programs, and therapy programs are good sources for help. In addition, EMPAC counselors are very familiar with COA issues, and can support both you and your child.