Influence of alcohol addicted parents in the development of alcoholic behaviour of their children

Pages: 1174-1176
Kr. Sajid Ali Khan, Yasmeen Kausar and Md. Ali Imam (Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP)

Alcohol addiction is simply defined as a compulsive need for an intoxicating liquid that is obtained from fermented grain or fruit. These liquids include beer, wine, and other hard liquors. One misconception that many alcoholic and addicts seem to have is that their drinking is not affecting anyone else. Many times they make statements like, “I am not hurting anyone but myself”. There is a great deal of research and a vast amount of anecdotal evidence that the behavior of addicts and alcoholics can affect everyone around them, including family, friends, employers and coworkers. Addicted family members are more likely to be violent or emotionally abusive, and when abuse is not a factor; households affected by addiction can be highly disordered, unstable and unloving. If one have a drinking problem and have children in home, they are being affected, sometimes so profoundly that the effects last their entire life time. The most vulnerable effects of alcoholism or addiction are the children. The children of people with alcohol problems usually suffer greatly. Children of alcoholics have deep-seated psychological and emotional reactions to growing up with an addicted parent. Children of addicts often grow up socially isolated and they tend to develop emotional difficulties and behavioral problems. As they grow up, these type of issues can lead to antisocial behavior, mood disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse. Children of addicts often develop feeling of anger and resentment towards their parents. Therefore alcohol addiction is recognized as significant barriers of the empowerment of children, with the consequences of child’s health, their health-seeking behavior and their adaptation of the family norms. Studies have shown that a child may be more likely to follow in footsteps of his parents and have the same addictive behaviors. It is vital that children have a positive and honest relationship with their parents. Those who suffer from alcohol abuse need to seek help immediately in order to restore and improve the family relationship. There are many supportive groups and programs available to help those families that are dealing with addiction. The first step is realizing that one’ drinking has become a problem, and the second step is willing to do something about the problem.