Alcoholism denotes a family disease because the addiction negatively affects the alcoholic and everybody living with them (Gifford 5). Children often suffer if they share or live with an alcoholic. There may be a sense of shame; moreover, they may spend more time in fear. Regrettably, alcoholism is a common problem, and many teenagers find themselves in the situation and experience abuse.
Children living with alcoholic parents have deep-seated emotional and psychological reactions to putting up with an alcoholic. At times, they get abused physically or sexually by their parents, but go silent because of fear it can cause drinking binge of a parent. In addition, because these children lacks an example to follow and do not experience or enjoy normal family relationships, they are compelled to guess what is considered normal. Routinely, they cannot distinguish bad role models from good ones. Majority of alcoholics children are not at ease around family since they do not make out how to react or what to do (Woititz 4).
For a child to have friendly or intimate relationship, the child should be willing emulate another individual for interdependence, fulfillment of needs or emotional attachment. Due to the inadequacy of self-esteem or trust issues, children of alcoholics may be incapable of doing that. They fear or do not permit themselves to be close to others (Woititz 5).
In summary, children living with alcoholic parents are at increased risk of being alcoholics themselves. Accepting the trouble and seeking support may assist ensure that such a child future do not emulate the parent’s past. Most children living with alcoholic parents are afraid speaking or showing normal emotion or anger because they fear it can cause drinking binge of a parent.
Works Cited
Gifford, Maria. Alcoholism. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood Press/ABC-CLIO, 2010. Print.
Woititz, Janet G. The Complete Acoa Sourcebook: Adult Children of Alcoholics at Home, at Work, and in Love. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 2012. Print.
