Alcoholism Tends To Run In Families
What’s Important about Children of Alcoholics?
Children of alcoholics (COAs): are at high risk for alcohol and other drug problems
* often live with pervasive tension and stress
* have higher levels of anxiety and depression
Quick Tip
When talking with anyone under 21 about alcohol and other drugs, urge them to “Be Smart! Don’t Start!’’
* do poorly in school
* experience problems with coping
The good news is that they can be helped to bounce back from the effects of their families’ problems.
When family members (parents, grandparents, and aunts/uncles), guardians, or other adults in charge of children are alcoholics, there is strong evidence that children in these families are more likely to develop the disease of alcoholism as well.
What about The Other COAs?
Based on stories from adult COAs in professional treatment and self- help programs, it appears all children are affected by family alcoholism. But, going back to the good news, many of them make positive adjustments to their families’ alcoholism. Even COAs in high- risk environments with other chronic sources of stress—including poverty, racism, disrupted marriages, serious emotional problems, and histories of abuse and neglect—are often able to overcome these painful beginnings and create healthy, fulfilling fives for themselves.
How Can COAs Be Helped To Bounce Back?
This is where the good news is really exciting.
The child in an alcoholic home may be helped whether the alcoholic stops drinking or not. It is not necessary to do anything to change the adult s drinking behavior. And X BSP Remember!! Helping a COA does not require special training or skills.
It is important not to label or stigmatize COAs or their families. If someone identifies himself or herself as a COA, be prepared to refer that person to school counselors or professional therapists for additional support.
Lend an ear, share normal interests and activities, talk about feelings, accept their mistakes, and support and encourage their friend-making efforts--YOU will be helping.
Alcoholism is a disease. Your parent is not a bad person; This disease makes him or her lose control when drinking. Alcohol when you drink too much, you do and say things that you May be the disease makes them do mean or stupid things that they do if they didn’t drink.
Fact #2
You cannot control your parent’s drinking. It is not your fault. Don't hide 4* bottle or to be perfect; you can’t do anything about your parent's drinking, it isn’t reason why your parent drinks. You did not cause the disease.
Fact #3
You are not alone. There are lots of kids just like you. I’ll bet there are in your class at school kids you would never think of might have a parent who drinks like yours.
Maybe you know some of them because you’ve seen what goes on in their house. In fact, from all the surveys done in the United States, we know that there are about eleven million children with alcoholic paten» living in our country. You really aren’t alone.
Fact #4
You CAN talk about the problem. Find someone you trust who will talk to you. It could be a teacher, a friend’s parent, a big brother or sister, or someone else who will listen to you. These are the ‘safe people’ in your life. Make a list called “People Who Can Help Me.” Keep this list with you so that you can call someone if you feel like talking.
Also, there is a group for kids called Alateen. This group has meetings, like a club, and the kids there share tips on how to make their lives easier. Some schools have Alateen meetings on the school grounds during the day or after school. Maybe your teacher could help you find one. Or, you could look for the phone number of Alateen in the phone book or call directory assistance and ask for the number. (Sometimes you need to call Al-Anon or Alcoholics Anonymous to find Alateen meetings in your area.) Maybe someone you can trust will help you get to a meeting if transportation is a problem for you.
What Else Helps COAs?
Tell them that they did not cause alcoholism and cannot cure or control it. But they can learn to cope with it. Make clear that children are not responsible for solving grown-up problems.
Understand that COAs often build up defenses against the pain, shame, guilt, or loneliness they may feel. They may show off, act tough, keep secrets, or hide. You may help by just accepting them for who they are. Encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings will help them learn to trust others and accept and adjust to their lives.
Get them involved in something about which they feel good. It can be something small like taking care of a pet; or a hobby such as collecting rocks, or stamps, or comic books; or a sport. Go slow, don’t push, but keep trying.
Do something with them on a regular basis, even if it’s only twice a year, such as on the 4th of July or Martin Luther King’s birthday. Providing some consistency and showing that adults can be counted on are important assurances for young people who may have experienced many broken promises and unpredictable parental behavior.
Gently help them get positive attention from others. Let them know they are wonderful, special, and cared about just because they are who they are. Again, go slowly, but tell them often.
Help them see life as really living even though there are times and situations that may be very painful. Help them see beyond their present circumstances. Help them feel connected to nature, art, and history; to heritage, culture, religion; to their community. Help them build a larger picture of their lives and their world than their families current problems.
Help them understand that it is okay to ask for help. Assure them that getting help is a sign of strength. Offer some examples from your own life so they’ll know how it’s done and that it really is okay.
Follow through if a child asks for help, because it probably required a lot of courage for her/him to do so. Know the local number for Alateen and other sources of help you can offer as needed.
Let them know they aren’t alone; there are approximately 11 million COAs under the age of 18. Collect information about alcoholism to discuss with the child when it’s comfort.
Weird Words
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:
Craving: A strong need, or urge, to drink.
Loss Of Control: Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
Physical Dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high.
Can alcoholism be cured?
No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic has been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. To guard against a relapse, an alcoholic must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages.
Can alcoholism be treated?
Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Most alcoholics need help to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, mar? people are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.
Which medications treat alcoholism?
A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (for example, Valium* and Librium*) are sometimes used during the first day after a person stops drinking to help him or her safely withdraw from alcohol
These medications are not used beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One medication used for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™). When combined with counseling naltrexone can reduce the craving for alcohol and help prevent a person from returning, or relapsing, to heavy drinking. Another medication, disulfiram (Antabuse*), discourages drinking by making the person feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.
Through several medications help treat alcoholism, there is no “magic bullet.” In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers.
Does alcoholism treatment work?
Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But just like any chronic disease, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time. With treatment, one thing is clear, however: the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober.
Do you have to be an alcoholic to experience problems?
No. Alcoholism is only one type of an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic—that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include not being able to meet work, school, or family responsibilities; drunk- driving arrests and car crashes; and drinlang-related medical conditions. Under some circumstances, even social or moderate drinking is dangerous—for example, when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medications.
Are specific groups of people more likely to have problems?
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. Nearly 14 million people in the United States—one in every 13 adults— abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. In general, though, more men than women are alcohol dependent or have alcohol problems. And alcohol problems are
Drug Information For Teens
highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. We also know that people who start drinking at an early age—for example, at age 14 or younger—gready increase the chance that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives.
What’s Important about Children of Alcoholics?
Children of alcoholics (COAs): are at high risk for alcohol and other drug problems
* often live with pervasive tension and stress
* have higher levels of anxiety and depression
Quick Tip
When talking with anyone under 21 about alcohol and other drugs, urge them to “Be Smart! Don’t Start!’’
* do poorly in school
* experience problems with coping
The good news is that they can be helped to bounce back from the effects of their families’ problems.
When family members (parents, grandparents, and aunts/uncles), guardians, or other adults in charge of children are alcoholics, there is strong evidence that children in these families are more likely to develop the disease of alcoholism as well.
What about The Other COAs?
Based on stories from adult COAs in professional treatment and self- help programs, it appears all children are affected by family alcoholism. But, going back to the good news, many of them make positive adjustments to their families’ alcoholism. Even COAs in high- risk environments with other chronic sources of stress—including poverty, racism, disrupted marriages, serious emotional problems, and histories of abuse and neglect—are often able to overcome these painful beginnings and create healthy, fulfilling fives for themselves.
How Can COAs Be Helped To Bounce Back?
This is where the good news is really exciting.
The child in an alcoholic home may be helped whether the alcoholic stops drinking or not. It is not necessary to do anything to change the adult s drinking behavior. And X BSP Remember!! Helping a COA does not require special training or skills.
It is important not to label or stigmatize COAs or their families. If someone identifies himself or herself as a COA, be prepared to refer that person to school counselors or professional therapists for additional support.
Lend an ear, share normal interests and activities, talk about feelings, accept their mistakes, and support and encourage their friend-making efforts--YOU will be helping.
Alcoholism is a disease. Your parent is not a bad person; This disease makes him or her lose control when drinking. Alcohol when you drink too much, you do and say things that you May be the disease makes them do mean or stupid things that they do if they didn’t drink.
Fact #2
You cannot control your parent’s drinking. It is not your fault. Don't hide 4* bottle or to be perfect; you can’t do anything about your parent's drinking, it isn’t reason why your parent drinks. You did not cause the disease.
Fact #3
You are not alone. There are lots of kids just like you. I’ll bet there are in your class at school kids you would never think of might have a parent who drinks like yours.
Maybe you know some of them because you’ve seen what goes on in their house. In fact, from all the surveys done in the United States, we know that there are about eleven million children with alcoholic paten» living in our country. You really aren’t alone.
Fact #4
You CAN talk about the problem. Find someone you trust who will talk to you. It could be a teacher, a friend’s parent, a big brother or sister, or someone else who will listen to you. These are the ‘safe people’ in your life. Make a list called “People Who Can Help Me.” Keep this list with you so that you can call someone if you feel like talking.
Also, there is a group for kids called Alateen. This group has meetings, like a club, and the kids there share tips on how to make their lives easier. Some schools have Alateen meetings on the school grounds during the day or after school. Maybe your teacher could help you find one. Or, you could look for the phone number of Alateen in the phone book or call directory assistance and ask for the number. (Sometimes you need to call Al-Anon or Alcoholics Anonymous to find Alateen meetings in your area.) Maybe someone you can trust will help you get to a meeting if transportation is a problem for you.
What Else Helps COAs?
Tell them that they did not cause alcoholism and cannot cure or control it. But they can learn to cope with it. Make clear that children are not responsible for solving grown-up problems.
Understand that COAs often build up defenses against the pain, shame, guilt, or loneliness they may feel. They may show off, act tough, keep secrets, or hide. You may help by just accepting them for who they are. Encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings will help them learn to trust others and accept and adjust to their lives.
Get them involved in something about which they feel good. It can be something small like taking care of a pet; or a hobby such as collecting rocks, or stamps, or comic books; or a sport. Go slow, don’t push, but keep trying.
Do something with them on a regular basis, even if it’s only twice a year, such as on the 4th of July or Martin Luther King’s birthday. Providing some consistency and showing that adults can be counted on are important assurances for young people who may have experienced many broken promises and unpredictable parental behavior.
Gently help them get positive attention from others. Let them know they are wonderful, special, and cared about just because they are who they are. Again, go slowly, but tell them often.
Help them see life as really living even though there are times and situations that may be very painful. Help them see beyond their present circumstances. Help them feel connected to nature, art, and history; to heritage, culture, religion; to their community. Help them build a larger picture of their lives and their world than their families current problems.
Help them understand that it is okay to ask for help. Assure them that getting help is a sign of strength. Offer some examples from your own life so they’ll know how it’s done and that it really is okay.
Follow through if a child asks for help, because it probably required a lot of courage for her/him to do so. Know the local number for Alateen and other sources of help you can offer as needed.
Let them know they aren’t alone; there are approximately 11 million COAs under the age of 18. Collect information about alcoholism to discuss with the child when it’s comfort.
Weird Words
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:
Craving: A strong need, or urge, to drink.
Loss Of Control: Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
Physical Dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high.
Can alcoholism be cured?
No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic has been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. To guard against a relapse, an alcoholic must continue to avoid all alcoholic beverages.
Can alcoholism be treated?
Yes, alcoholism can be treated. Alcoholism treatment programs use both counseling and medications to help a person stop drinking. Most alcoholics need help to recover from their disease. With support and treatment, mar? people are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.
Which medications treat alcoholism?
A range of medications is used to treat alcoholism. Benzodiazepines (for example, Valium* and Librium*) are sometimes used during the first day after a person stops drinking to help him or her safely withdraw from alcohol
These medications are not used beyond the first few days, however, because they may be highly addictive. Other medications help people remain sober. One medication used for this purpose is naltrexone (ReVia™). When combined with counseling naltrexone can reduce the craving for alcohol and help prevent a person from returning, or relapsing, to heavy drinking. Another medication, disulfiram (Antabuse*), discourages drinking by making the person feel sick if he or she drinks alcohol.
Through several medications help treat alcoholism, there is no “magic bullet.” In other words, no single medication is available that works in every case and/or in every person. Developing new and more effective medications to treat alcoholism remains a high priority for researchers.
Does alcoholism treatment work?
Alcoholism treatment works for many people. But just like any chronic disease, there are varying levels of success when it comes to treatment. Some people stop drinking and remain sober. Others have long periods of sobriety with bouts of relapse. And still others cannot stop drinking for any length of time. With treatment, one thing is clear, however: the longer a person abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober.
Do you have to be an alcoholic to experience problems?
No. Alcoholism is only one type of an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful. A person can abuse alcohol without actually being an alcoholic—that is, he or she may drink too much and too often but still not be dependent on alcohol. Some of the problems linked to alcohol abuse include not being able to meet work, school, or family responsibilities; drunk- driving arrests and car crashes; and drinlang-related medical conditions. Under some circumstances, even social or moderate drinking is dangerous—for example, when driving, during pregnancy, or when taking certain medications.
Are specific groups of people more likely to have problems?
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. Nearly 14 million people in the United States—one in every 13 adults— abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. In general, though, more men than women are alcohol dependent or have alcohol problems. And alcohol problems are
Drug Information For Teens
highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. We also know that people who start drinking at an early age—for example, at age 14 or younger—gready increase the chance that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives.