How to Help an Alcoholic Parent?

Thousands of people suffer from methanol poisoning every year, with most cases reported in Asia from people drinking bootlegged liquor or homemade alcohol. Many Southeast Asian nations have low safety standards, patchy regulatory enforcement and high levels of police corruption. Tell your parent if you want to see a counselor or live with another family. Being honest can prepare you for communication skills later in life, and your parent may appreciate that you felt comfortable opening up to them about your feelings. Practice self-care whenever possible at home, school, and throughout your day. One beneficial self-care and emotional control method is mindfulness, which is the practice of learning to be present in each moment and controlling your nervous system.

Long-term alcohol misuse can lead to a range of cognitive impairments, including difficulty processing information, impaired memory and learning capacity, and impaired judgment. Alcohol use may also lead to addiction, personality changes, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Mental health services can provide support and guidance to help families cope with the challenges of addiction. Growing up as the child of a parent alcohol use disorder may have long-lasting effects.

Whether it be from shame, anger, or discomfort, it is often difficult to work through the stigma surrounding addiction. Admitting that someone so close to you is so heavily affected can be intimidating, but it is a pertinent step. You have the chance to be open and honest with your father about his addiction. And while it will be a difficult conversation—or a series of difficult conversations—it could be what makes him finally get the help he needs. Children of alcoholics may take on too much responsibility, even for things beyond their control.

Not only will they be there to support you, but they may be able to help your dad realize just how much his addiction is impacting others. As you’ve experienced first-hand, addiction is a disease that doesn’t just affect the person drinking or using. Your father’s battle against alcohol probably feels like it’s partly your battle too, and you don’t need to fight it on your own. With therapy and support, ACOAs can make changes in their life and treat the underlying PTSD and trauma.

Find a safe place

Explain your concern and let the person know how your parent’s behavior impacts you. Your family may be able to reach out to your parent and discuss treatment eco sober house options with them. It’s not easy having a parent with alcoholism, but know that you are not alone. There is support available and you can heal from the effects of addiction. While your dad’s journey to recovery won’t happen overnight, you don’t have to allow addiction to destroy your life. However, it is important that you do not hide your parent’s addiction from other family members who could also potentially help him.

How to Help an Alcoholic Parent

Many ACOAs are very successful, hard-working, and goal-driven.Some struggle with alcohol or other addictions themselves. Heavy alcohol consumption is linked to changes in areas of the brain related to learning, memory, decision-making, and stress response. Alcohol affects the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), serotonin, and dopamine, which are responsible for controlling mood and behavior. Alcohol use also reduces neuronal activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function and decision-making. An alcoholic household can significantly affect a child’s growth and development. Make sure you stay honest with your parent and be careful not to enable them.

How do you cope with a family member with alcohol use disorder?

There are several issues relevant to the effects of trauma on a child in these types of households. The most critical factors include the age of the child, the duration of the trauma during development, and the ability of the child to have support within the family or from an outside source. Your parent may have promised to stop drinking time and time again, but they never do. It’s important for you to understand that alcoholism is an addiction and that your parent must commit to professional treatment in order to truly change. In the meantime, deal with their alcoholism by supporting your own well-being and keeping yourself busy. You might also try to convince your parent to get the help they need.

1. One of our compassionate and experienced admissions navigators will listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain options.
2. You have the chance to be open and honest with your father about his addiction.
3. Children may blame themselves for their needs not having been met, which can lead to feelings of shame and unworthiness.
4. However, finding a support option that fits your schedule can be difficult.
5. Last year, we expanded our services to include robust mental health treatment, a new outpatient location, and specialized programming for our nation’s veterans, with more to come this year!
6. Our approach centers on treating people with the same kindness and respect that we value for ourselves.

If you are concerned about your parent’s drinking, this article outlines a few things you can do. Ignoring it could lead to fractured relationships and complicated family problems. Children need to see gratitude, especially in the hardest of times. It’s from this that they learn, and they’ll teach their own children the gratitude, thoughtfulness, and love they’ve observed — not necessarily what we think we’ve taught them. If they don’t come around, at least you’ll be at peace with yourself.

Educating children about addiction and providing healthy outlets for coping with stress can be beneficial in safeguarding them from developing an alcohol use disorder themselves. Additionally, connecting parents with treatment services can aid in recovery and provide support for the whole family. Evidence suggests that children of alcoholics experience significant distress during and after childhood. Children are more likely to experience depression and anxiety due to family instability and are significantly more likely to develop behavior problems like rule-breaking, defiance, aggression, and impulsivity. In adulthood, children of alcoholics are substantially more likely to develop substance use disorders.

Erin L. George, MFT, holds a master’s degree in family therapy with a focus on group dynamics in high-risk families. As a court-appointed special advocate for children, she is dedicated to helping families rebuild relationships and improve their mental and behavioral health. When your father is struggling with alcoholism, it can be easy to excuse bad behavior or want to cover up the effects of his actions.

Children in households with alcohol addiction may have to mature at an accelerated pace. In these households, children may have to take on a caretaker role for their parents or siblings. Although assuming this type of family role at a young age can be a lot of pressure, some positive character traits can develop.