More on children of alcoholics

Alcoholism in the home has long-lasting effects. Children of alcoholics often learn to cope with an unhappy childhood in ways that cause problems for them later in life.

Children of alcoholics often:
· Become super-responsible
· Become a trouble-maker
· Become able to adjust to any change, without noise or fuss
· Become a family clown or peacemaker, smoothing over troubles

Children of alcoholics often believe they are alone, that other families do not have these problems, or that it is up to them to cure their parent. A child may take the blame for a parent’s alcoholism. Many children of alcoholics feel unloved and unlovable. Some of them suffer physical or sexual abuse. The child learns not to trust, not to get close to anyone and ways of communicating that are not healthy.

· The super-responsible child may grow into an adult who demands perfectionism.
· The child who is the family’s scapegoat may have legal or financial troubles throughout life.
· The child who used to adjust to anything may be passive and withdrawn as an adult.
· The family clown may group up to be entertaining, but irresponsible.

Some adult children of alcoholics are anxious, controlling, may have iisues with intimacy, may be chronically depressed or have stress-related health problems. Many children of alcoholics either become chemically dependent themselves or marry alcoholics.