Effects of Growing up with an Alcoholic Father

Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that about 53% of the population uses or abuses alcohol.

This is an extremely huge number of people so imagine the number of children growing up in homes with alcoholic fathers. It has been found that about 10% of children in the US are growing up in alcoholic families.

Growing up exposed to alcohol in the home can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s life. The child may experience feelings of fear, anxiety, confusion, and guilt. They may feel overwhelmed by their father’s unpredictable behavior and inability to meet their emotional needs.

Children may also become emotionally distant and withdrawn, developing trust issues and difficulty forming healthy relationships. They often struggle with low self-esteem and may develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol in an effort to cope with the pain and trauma of their childhood. 

Overview of the potential long-term effects of growing up with an alcoholic father

Growing up in a home with an alcoholic father can have long-term impacts on a child’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Some of the most common effects children with alcoholic parents experience include feelings of shame and guilt, difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships, anxiety and depression and a greater likelihood of developing an addiction later in life.

Children of parents with alcohol issues may also experience financial insecurity, academic difficulties and a lower sense of self-worth. These issues can last into adulthood and require ongoing support to work through.

It is important to remember that everyone experiences their childhood differently and that the effects of growing up in an alcoholic home can be managed with the right care and support.

The Impact on Psychological and Emotional Health

Increased risk of becoming an addict

• Being exposed to a parent struggling with addiction can have a significant impact on a person’s risk of becoming an addict. Research has shown that children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcohol dependent themselves, as well as having an increased risk of developing other addictions. This is likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as the tendency to normalize heavy drinking and being in an environment where substance use is seen as acceptable.
• Children of alcoholics are more likely to have low self-esteem, difficulty with relationships and unresolved trauma that can lead to self-medicating behaviors. It is important to be aware of these risks and to seek help if needed. Working with a mental health professional can help to identify potential risk factors and create a plan to avoid addiction.

Anxiety, depression, childhood trauma

• Growing up in a home where alcohol is used can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health. Children of alcoholic parents are at an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety and trauma. These mental health issues can stem from the unstable and unpredictable environment that often accompanies a family with an alcoholic parent.
• The lack of trust and the feelings of insecurity that come with growing up in this environment can lead to feelings of sadness, a sense of worthlessness and an inability to cope with everyday life. This can manifest itself in the form of depression, anxiety and trauma, which can follow a person into adulthood. It is important for those who have grown up with an alcoholic parent to seek help and support in dealing with the mental health issues they may be facing.

Issues with self-esteem and identity

• Growing up with an alcoholic father can have a huge impact on a child’s self-esteem and identity. Children of alcoholics often struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-worth.
• They may feel that they are to blame for their parent’s drinking and are not good enough to make positive changes. This can lead to a sense of insecurity and difficulty trusting other people.
• They may also struggle with feelings of being different from others and difficulty forming meaningful relationships. It is important for children of alcoholics to find supportive relationships and professional help to overcome these issues and develop healthy self-esteem and identity.

Relationships and interpersonal skills

• Having an alcoholic father can have a major impact on relationships. 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 as well as with their siblings and other family members.
• Children may also be hurt or embarrassed by their parents’ behavior.
• They may feel like they need to take on the role of the adult in the family, which can lead to a feeling of resentment.
• They may also have difficulty trusting and developing healthy relationships with other adults. All of these factors can have a lasting impact on the quality of relationships for children of alcoholics.

The Impact on Physical Health

Increased risk for addiction and substance abuse in adulthood 

• Growing up in a home with an alcoholic parent can put children at increased risk of developing substance use issues of their own. This risk is due to a variety of factors, such as witnessing the parent’s substance use, the disruption of family life caused by the parent’s drinking as well as the genetic predisposition to addiction that may be shared by the child and the parent.
• Children may also be more likely to engage in risky behavior and develop negative coping mechanisms, such as substance use, to deal with the difficulties of their home life. 
• Children often have difficulty forming healthy relationships and lack self-esteem, both of which can contribute to substance use issues.
• It is important for children of alcoholics to receive support from family and professionals to help them avoid developing substance use issues of their own.

Increased risk of physical health issues 

• Growing up with a father who drinks can have serious long-term consequences on a child’s physical and mental health.
• Children of alcoholics are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse issues as adults.
• There is also an increased risk of developing a range of physical health problems including higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of cancer. 

Higher risk of abuse

• Having an alcoholic parent can significantly increase the risk of abuse. Children with alcoholic parents often experience higher rates of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
• They may witness violence or neglect in the home, and be exposed to an unstable and unpredictable environment.
• The parent’s alcohol addiction may cause them to act out in ways that are verbally, emotionally or physically abusive.
• Children may be neglected due to the parent’s focus on alcohol, which can lead to feelings of abandonment and insecurity.

Learning risky behaviors

• Having an alcoholic parent can lead to a number of risky behaviors for children. These can include experimenting with alcohol or drugs at an earlier age, engaging in reckless behavior, skipping school, engaging in unsafe sexual activity or getting into physical fights.
• Children with an alcoholic parent are more likely to develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or substance use disorder.
• It is important for parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with having an alcoholic parent and to be vigilant in seeking help if their child is exhibiting signs of risky behavior.

What is a Functioning Alcoholic?

A functioning alcoholic is someone who is able to maintain a job and a life while also suffering from an alcohol use disorder. This is due to their ability to control their drinking and limit their intake to a certain amount of drinks per day.

However, they still suffer from the physical and mental effects of alcohol abuse and can be at risk of developing a more severe addiction in the future. The functioning alcoholic may also experience a range of emotional, social, and financial problems due to their drinking.

If left untreated, the individual is at risk of becoming an alcoholic and developing long-term health issues.

Coping with the Effects of Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent

Counseling / therapy to help process emotions related to childhood experiences 

For adult children of alcoholic parents, counseling and therapy can be an important resource. It offers a safe space to delve into issues related to growing up in a home with an alcoholic parent and to gain much needed insight on how this has impacted your life. Therapy will teach you how to recognize and control emotions and teach coping skills. Counseling has many benefits that will have a positive impact on your relationships and can offer treatment for disorders like anxiety, depression and trauma related issues.  

Support groups

Support groups are an extremely valuable tool and can provide hope to children of alcoholic parents by offering support, hope and direction.

They provide education on addiction related topics so members can gain a better understanding of their father’s underlying issues as well as the various symptoms that they may have such as mental health disorders, problematic relationships and more. 

Some of the best-known groups are Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA). These groups are based on the 12-step model and work with family members and loved ones of alcoholics. 

Signs a Parent is Struggling with Alcohol Abuse 

Some of the signs you may see from a parent’s alcohol use disorder include:

• Drinking more often than usual and consuming more – for example, they say they’re going to have a beer to watch the game but end up drinking an entire case
• Not being able to cut down the amount they drink even though they say they are going to
• Spending a lot of time drinking or being hungover
• Feeling strong urges to drink, to the point where they can’t think about anything else.
• Having issues at work or with finances
• Having problems with relationships with family and friends – may start fights or become abusive
• No longer engaging in activities they once enjoyed
• Being in dangerous situations that cause harm like accidents due to falling, drunk driving
• Having withdrawal symptoms  
• Being defensive about their drinking and denying they have a problem

Adult Children of Alcoholic Fathers

If you are an adult child of an alcoholic, you may be feeling a range of emotions and experiences. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this. Many people have experienced the same struggles that you are going through.

There are several resources available to help you cope with the unique challenges of being an adult child of an alcoholic. Consider reaching out to a local support group or a therapist who can provide you with a safe space to share your story and get the support you need.

It is also important to take care of yourself and find healthy ways to express your feelings.

Find activities that bring you joy and peace, such as yoga, reading or spending time in nature. Above all, remember that you are not responsible for your parent’s drinking.

Get Help for Addiction and Change Your Life

If you are dealing with substance use issues and want to make a change, please pick up the phone and call Luxe Recovery. Our knowledgeable and kind admissions staff can discuss what treatment options are available to help.