For a moment, imagine how difficult life can be as a child when you are living with a parent (or parents) who is suffering from a severe case of alcoholism. Ultimately, you are forced to become a quasi-adult, taking on the responsibilities of cleaning the house, cooking meals, and (in particularly unpleasant cases) cleaning up after your sick parents. While we have to sympathize with people who suffer from this condition, you do have to keep in mind that children as great a victim of alcoholism as the alcoholic parents themselves. Having to live in an unclean, smelly, and angry environment is not beneficial to a child’s health, in the least. However, did you know that women are influenced by alcoholic parents differently from men? Let’s take a closer look at the situation and find out more.
What Makes Us Similar
Keep in mind that children who suffer at the hands of alcoholic parents are prone to experience the same emotional and psychological drawbacks, regardless of gender. Later in life, men and women who were raised by boozers can potentially suffer from antisocial problems and conduct disorders and potentially fall victim to the same mental illness that took over their parents. Likewise, children of alcoholics will practice internalization (hiding emotions and pulling them inward). Even more unnerving, kids can still exhibit external and internal behavioral conflicts when their parents are in rehab.
What Makes Women Different
So, how are women affected by their alcohol-toting parents? In a Yale study, scientists analyzed groups of 17,368 women and 23,006 men and drew the following conclusions:
- Daughters of alcoholics have a higher risk of developing substance use disorders and mental illnesses than sons.
- Being raised by both parents and holding a college degree decreased the rate of alcoholic fathers and mothers by 30% (men) and 50% (women).
- Daughters of alcoholic mothers have a high propensity towards developing bipolar mania and schizoid personality disorder (in contrast to the sons of alcoholic fathers).
- Daughters of alcoholic fathers are put at risk for every mental health issue except dependent personality disorder.
- Daughters of alcoholic mothers are put at risk for all mental health problems excluding hypomania, panic disorder, and gambling addiction.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
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 addiction troubles today.