Living with an alcoholic mother or father is never easy and never will be easy. For many boys and girls around the world, adulthood comes a little too early when they have to clean up after or care for a negligent parent. In many situations, verbal and physical abuse can accompany negligence, which can ultimately lead to a terrible future for the child. Although these boys and girls may grow into successful, happy individuals, the memories of life with abusive, addictive parents will never go away, and the memories can still impede life’s joys. Let’s take a closer look at how alcoholic homes impact children for life.
Leaving Home Doesn’t Help
If you grew up in a household ruled by alcoholism, then you definitely understand how those memories never go away. Sometimes, you don’t feel the full brunt of these terrible events until years later, when your adult mind can fully process this torture. In many cases, the hardcore shield you had to construct to survive this environment will be reflected in your social and work circles and may even impact your future relationships. In some situations, people can even fall victim to the same demons that overtook their parent (or parents).
Self-Denial and Unpredictability
Simply put, children need a stable, loving environment to grow properly. Parents must be willing to give up half of their lives to ensure their boys and girls have a bright future, plain and simple. In a household controlled by addiction, the children and other victims (relatives and friends) may have to avoid confrontations with the alcoholic and are constantly stressing over how this parent will react to small problems. Due to a lack of love and attention from one or both parents, these children will desperately crave love and care, which could lead them down dark paths.
Leaking into Adulthood
Here are a few ways that living with an alcoholic parent can impact children into adulthood:
- Difficult with change and transitions
- Hard time trusting new people
- Guilt and shame
- Loneliness and a sense of isolation
- Continuous self-criticism
- Overwhelming sense of perfectionism
- Unending urge to please everybody
- Extreme sensitivity and anxiety
- Taking on too many responsibilities
- Saving people who cannot be saved (e.g. abusive people)
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or alcoholism troubles today.
