How to cope with alcoholic parents and protect your mental health

You might find it hard to believe that others will follow through or be there for you emotionally. Cognitive symptoms of PTSD in this population often involve intrusive thoughts and memory issues. Children may experience flashbacks or vivid memories of traumatic events related to their parent’s alcoholism.

• They may also have difficulty trusting and developing healthy relationships with other adults.
• On the one hand, many feel a deep desire to provide the stability and love they never experienced.
• Online counseling is often more affordable than traditional in-person therapy and offers teens and adults a way to connect with a professional from any location with an internet connection.
• This can affect him at his job, school, and even future romantic relationships.

Alcoholism Treatment and Rehab

Alcoholism is sometimes referred to as a family disease because it can affect everyone in a household, not just the person who drinks. Family therapy allows you, your loved one, and other members of the household to address communication problems, unresolved conflicts, and unhealthy relationship patterns. A trained therapist can help you establish healthier dynamics and coping strategies. This can create an environment that supports recovery rather than undermines it. If you are an adult child of an alcoholic, you may be feeling a range of emotions and experiences.

Investigate Rehabilitation Options for the Parent

Approach them when they’re not affected by alcohol for the best chances of having them listen to you. If you cannot find a support group or an intervention specialist, you can try telehealth services. The continuous occurrence of such events puts the child in constant emotional distress. However, there are things you can do to minimize conflict and get through to your parent.

The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal. Completing basic tasks for your son or daughter and doting on them in other ways can hamper their progress, despite your best intentions to make their lives easier. They may begin to believe that they cannot achieve anything on their own and avoid making efforts to better themselves. You might also be smothering your loved one if you repeatedly bring up their addiction, which could create added tension and frustration.

Children of alcoholic parents may feel a sense of guilt, confusion, and loneliness due to their parents’ drinking. This can lead to strained relationships with their parents, siblings, and other family members. Children may also be hurt or embarrassed by their parents’ behavior. Addiction does not discriminate based on age, and many individuals develop substance use disorders later in life.

What is the hero child of an alcoholic?

Another way on how an alcoholic father affects his son and daughter is that the children have no sense of normalcy. Living in a home where one parent is an alcoholic can be such a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Some days are great – when the alcoholic is in a great mood, and some days are bad – when the alcoholic is in a bad mood. Remember, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and these resources are here to help you navigate the challenges of having an alcoholic parent.

How do I cope with the stress of living with an alcoholic?

If you ever feel you are in crisis, please reach out to an online or local crisis resource, call emergency services, or contact your mental health or medical provider immediately. CPTSD Foundation does not provide emergency intervention, medical care, therapy, or crisis counseling. Some of the most common symptoms that adult children of alcoholics experience are as follows. Studies show that expressive writing, such as journaling, can benefit your mental health and allow you to release suppressed emotions. Consider keeping a journal about your experiences with your parent and how you feel. In the future, you might come back to read the journal to remember how these times impacted your mental health.

The cycle of alcohol addiction is not easily broken, but many adult children of alcoholics find ways to overcome their past and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Escaping the shadow of a parent’s addiction requires more than just time; it calls for intentional healing and a commitment to personal growth. For many, the first step involves acknowledging the trauma and recognizing how deeply it has influenced their behaviors, thought patterns, and relationships 8. Treatment providers are vital to helping people recover from drinking parent trauma.

• You are not responsible for a parent’s choices or recovery, and you have a life to live.
• The lack of trust and insecurity that come with growing up in this environment can lead to sadness, a sense of worthlessness, and an inability to cope with everyday life.
• If you’re affected by the alcohol consumption of any loved one, you’re welcome to join.
• Whether you are the adult child of a parent with alcohol problems, or a parent currently struggling with alcohol addiction, help is available for you.

Unmatched Addiction Care in Colorado.

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the how alcoholic parents affect their children suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists. Start your recovery journey with peace of mind, knowing your care is covered.

The resulting stress leads to behavioral issues such as impulsivity and aggression, and academic performance suffers from impaired concentration. Social skills weaken as trust issues and low self-esteem take root. Affected children adopt harmful coping strategies marijuana addiction like self-isolation and early substance experimentation. Structured support from family, educators, and mental health professionals fosters resilience and improves emotional regulation. Families find treatment and support by engaging with mental health professionals who specialize in family therapy. They participate in support groups that foster sharing and empathy.

Submit your number to receive a call today from a treatment provider. Spouses and partners are often the most exposed to the damaging effects of someone’s drinking, experiencing psychological, physical, and social trauma. When living with someone who has AUD, it’s important to understand that you didn’t cause the addiction. A person under the effects of alcohol might be a much happier person than when they are sober, or they might be much more hostile. There is no simple way to predict the exact effects alcohol has from person to person. However, it is likely that the person’s behavior changes substantially depending on their state of sobriety.

Studies have shown that 61% of adults have at least one ACE, and one out of six has at least four. Children affected by AUDs reported having, on average, 2.1 ACEs. Having even one ACE can increase the risk of becoming a smoker, and developing obesity, depression, and a substance use disorder (SUD). Through this work, adult children can develop a healthier understanding of their past and their relationship with their mother. While the scars of growing up with an alcoholic parent may never fully disappear, therapy can help individuals find peace, establish boundaries, and cultivate a sense of agency in their lives. They can learn to honor their love for their mother without being defined by the pain she caused, and in doing so, reclaim their emotional freedom.