How To Help An Alcoholic Parent?
Table of Contents
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What Is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a severe substance use disorder due to excessive drinking habits.1 Also called alcohol use disorder, alcoholism occurs when the body becomes dependent on alcohol, which stems from its repetitive and excessive use. Sometimes, the exact reason for alcohol use disorder is unknown.2
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Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
Call Us 24/7
Learn More About Ripple Ranch Recovery Center
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
Why Do People Drink?
- Stress relief
- Peer pressure
- As a coping mechanism
- As a form of socialization or fun
- For religious purposes
While it’s normal for many to drink on occasion, binge drinking or routine alcohol consumption can pose serious risks to your physical and mental health. Moderation is the key to developing a healthy relationship with alcohol.
Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Excessive Drinking
This behavior is characterized as more than 15 drinks a week for men and 8 drinks weekly for women. Also, binge drinking is characterized by taking 5-4 drinks in 2 hours. A standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of alcohol.
This is equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol).4
Behavioral Changes
Physical Changes
Health Complications from Alcohol Abuse
- High blood pressure
- Memory and learning issues
- Heart disease
- Pancreatitis
- Liver diseases
- Various forms of Cancer (throat, mouth, breast, liver, colon, etc.)
- Weakened immune system
- Stroke
- Anemia
- Lessened bone density
- Dehydration
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
- Other medical problems (mental health and social problems)
What are the Signs of an Alcoholic Parent?
Is My Parent an Alcoholic?
- Blackouts and memory loss
- Irritability and mood swings
- Excusing drinking and bad behavior
- Prioritizing drinking over other obligations
- Isolation from friends and family members
What Is It Like Dealing with an Alcoholic Parent?
How People May Feel
- Shame, sadness, or anger towards an alcoholic parent
- Frustration if parent shows no intention to change
- Insecurity or fear when dealing with an alcoholic parent
- Concern for the health or safety of the alcoholic parents or siblings
How People May Act
- Withdrawing from friends and other family members
- Being aggressive towards others
- Abusing alcohol and other substances
- Being depressed or exhibiting suicidal behavior
- Poor academic performance
How Alcoholism Affects Family Life
Effects of An Alcoholic Father on Daughter and Son
How a parent’s drinking affects your child can vary depending on the child’s age. The outcome of having an alcoholic father is manifested as several direct or indirect effects. The direct effects may be seen through bouts of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse and neglect.
Indirect effects include:10
- Fewer financial resources
- Esteem issues
- The emergence of approval-seeking behaviors
- Environmental inclination towards substance abuse
When A Parent Drinks Too Much – What Kids Have to Know?
Why Does My Mom or Dad Drink So Much?
What Does It Feel Like to Drink Alcohol?
Why Do People Drink So Much When They Know It Will Hurt Them or Others?
Impact of Alcoholic Parents on Children
Alcohol use disorders can disrupt parent-adolescent relationships and negatively affect the development and adjustment of children in several ways. Being clueless about how to deal with an alcoholic parent can take a psychological toll and manifest as alcoholic parent trauma in both childhood and adulthood, which is why you should be informed.11
Adults with alcoholic parents are at higher risk of developing alcohol dependence themselves. This is often due to genetic influences, as well as any associated environmental stressors that may lead an individual to cope with alcohol.
Considerations When Dealing With an Alcoholic Parent
1. Open up to someone, especially a professional
2. Recognize that it isn’t your fault
3. Understand and identify your emotions
4. Develop good lifestyle habits
How To Approach A Parent With A Drinking Problem
Tips for Talking to Your Parent
- Speak in a kind, gentle and sympathetic manner.
- Avoid getting frustrated or upset with their behaviors or denials.
- If an alcoholic parent isn’t ready for treatment, don’t force it. Wait it out and try again.
- Don’t appear disappointed or pessimistic. Instead, show them how supportive you are of their recovery.
How to Be Supportive
- Children of alcoholic parents can show support by:
- Actively researching the best forms of treatment available
- Making self-care a priority by reminding them to clean up, eat, and sleep well
- Motivating parents when morale towards recovery is low
What to Avoid
- Being judgmental and unsympathetic to their struggles
- Making excuses for their habits or helping fund their behavior
- Remaining in a physically or emotionally abusive situation
- Turning to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism
Let Ripple Ranch Help Your Family
Help An Alcoholic Parent
Support for Adults with Alcoholic Parents
Reach Out and Begin Healing
Contact us today for more information on how to help an alcoholic parent, how to cope with alcoholism, and start recovery at Ripple Ranch Recovery.
Resources
- 1https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa09.htm
- 2https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/basics
- 3https://ourworldindata.org/alcohol-consumption
- 4https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink
- 5https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
- 6https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-Of-Alcoholics-017.aspx
- 7 https://www.hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton/family#:~:text=Family%3A%20A%20family%20is%20a,as%20members%20of%20one%20family.
- 8 https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm
- 9 https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3223/ShortReport-3223.html
- 10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4002864/
- 11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6876511/