Children of alcoholics bear the scars for years to come

Sep 5 2006

According to a new report children who grow up with alcoholic parents bear emotional, behavioural and mental scars and are more likely to become addicted themselves.

A study by the British private health organisation The Priory has found that the children of alcoholics were four times more likely to be addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling.

The "Suffer the Child" (PDF) report reveals a large spectrum of abuses, neglect and discrimination that such children face, compared to children whose parents are not alcoholic.

The Priory report reviewed data already in existence on crime, abuse and alcoholism as well as consulting its own doctors and therapists to reach it's conclusions and it says the problems children of alcoholics experience in early life has a profound impact later in life.

The report says it is far more common in alcoholic homes for a child in early life to experience chaos, trauma, confusion and shame and, too often, sexual and physical abuse as well.

The report found that 55% of domestic violence occurs in alcoholic homes, and alcohol is a factor in 90% of child abuse cases.

Growing up in an alcoholic household is inextricably linked to abuse and a third of daughters of alcoholics experienced physical abuse and a fifth sexual abuse; four times more than in non-alcoholic homes, the Priory says.

The researchers say children react in one of three ways, by becoming withdrawn, going into denial or using the experience to benefit themselves by becoming stronger.

Many of the children of alcoholics grow up to be likeable, kind and intuitive and problems only surface when they have to confront difficulties.

The report says as a result of their experiences their feelings about themselves are the opposite of the serene image they present and as a rule they feel insecure, inadequate, dull, unsuccessful, vulnerable and anxious; they also have problems developing strong personal relationships.

Previous studies have revealed that 70% of children of alcoholics develop compulsive behaviour around either alcohol, drugs, food, sex, work or gambling, while a half ended up marrying alcoholics.

The children of alcoholics were four times more likely to become alcoholics in part because of a genetic trait.

Dr. Michael Bristow a Priory addictions expert says there is a widespread misconception that addiction is all about the addict, and it is only the addict who suffers from his illness, when in fact the adult alcoholic's entire family, particularly the children are affected.

Other addiction experts say the findings are not a surprise but it is cast in stone and the children of alcoholics can break the cycle and end up rejecting alcohol and refusing to let it destroy their lives like it may have done their parents.

The report estimates a total of 3.6 million adults in the United Kingdom are alcoholic, almost 5% of the population.

An average one in every 25 adults is a heavy drinker, which equates to over a million children whose parents face a serious alcohol issue.