How A Child See's Alcoholism  

 

Children who live with or come in close contact with Alcoholics experience the consequences of the disease up close and at times in a very person manner.

They witness the destruction, the out of control behavior and the aftermath of the drinking events.

They, especially if very young, will feel helpless to stop or control the actions or consequences of the Alcoholic.

Children, who rely on the alcoholic for their care, may often have to wait until the person recovers from bouts of uncontrolled drinking before they can eat, or receive other basic care. Often there are financial consequences of drinking such as destruction of property, or loss of money that directly affects the children in the household.

The old adage that children see, children do, applies to the drinking of alcohol. When children are exposed to those who accept using alcohol as a means to cope with life, they will likely learn to copy the attitudes and behaviors of those they live with or those who they are exposed to on a consistent basis. These people include: Parents Siblings, Babysitters Relatives Neighbors Teachers and Organizational Staff Friends and the parents of friends.

The Journal of American Medical Association has included the statistic that alcohol has been "the leading contributor to, the leading causes of death among young people in the United States."

This means that our kids today, are likely to have to come to grips with the death of someone (sibling, classmate, friend) they know and love as a result of a alcohol-related death. This could include alcohol-related traffic accidents, accidents in the home, alcohol poisoning of infants/toddlers in the home, to name a few possibilities.

Death is a difficult concept for young children to process. It will have a great impact on them now and into their future. The statistics are alarming, and the scars left are deep.

The Statistics: There are approximately one in four children who will be exposed to alcoholism in their family. Children of parents who suffer from Alcoholism are at significant risk to become Alcoholics themselves.

 Did You Know

 

In recent years, the Justice System has begun to hold drunk drivers responsible for the damages they have caused.  This goes beyond holding them legally responsible and now including monetary restitution to the victims and their families.

Another new weapon that is being used in the war against drunk driving is an intolerant legal system.  It is a waste of time these days for a drunk driver to get an attorney and try to get a reduced sentence by pleading to a lesser charge. 

Although the laws differ from state to state, most states no longer allow even first time offenders to get way without feeling the consequences of their driving under the influence. 

In most states now even a first time offender faces a lengthy suspension of their license and at least a weekend in jail.  In order to get their license back, most states require the offenders to attend a DUI school, which includes an assessment with a professional counselor.

Many states have passes what is called the Habitual Violator Law, which provides felony penalties for three DUI convictions.  These violators lose their licenses permanently if not for many years and lose their civil liberties such as the right to vote or own a weapon. 

 
 
The attitudes of the adults influence how the children view alcohol, especially the attitudes of their parents. Studies have shown that children who have older siblings who drink, especially same sex siblings are also at a significant higher risk to pick up the same drinking habits.
 
According to the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine: Children who themselves drink before age 14 are 47% more likely to become dependent on alcohol. One study of 5th through 11th grade students (from the annual meeting of the Research Society of Alcoholism out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada), found that advertising fostered favorable attitudes towards drinking in these youth.
 
Interesting Facts

Talk to someone if you find that drinking is becoming a problem.

Seek the assistance of Alcoholics Anonymous.

That's what they are there for. 
 
According to "Monitoring the Future", a 2006 survey conducted at the University of Michigan News and Information Services: at least 20% of 8th graders and 41% of 10th graders have been drunk at least once.
 
There is a cultural difference in the rates of drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006): 29.9% of non-Hispanic white students, 11.1 % of African American students, and 25.3% of Hispanic students are pro binge drinking.

 

 

 
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What is the Attraction To Alcohol
Alcoholism is a Widespread Problem
◦ The Difference Between Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Abuse
◦ FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 1
◦ FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 2
◦ A Brief Summary Regarding Alcoholism
◦ Alcohol Abuse and the College Campus
◦ The Brain And Alcohol
◦ Health Risks For Women Alcoholics
◦ Holiday Survival Guide For The Alcoholic
◦ How A Child See's Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism Detoxification Steps
◦ Alcoholism and the Workplace
◦ The Children of Alcoholics
◦ Common Questions About Alcoholism
◦ Tests for Alcohol Use
◦ Do All Alcoholics Need a Rehab Center
◦ The Dangers and Penalties Of Drinking and Driving
◦ The War On Drunk Driving
◦ How To Determine When Someone Needs Professional Help
◦ Some Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
◦ Diet Hints To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawal
◦ Helping Someone To Overcome Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism Risk Is Linked to Early Aged Drinking
◦ A Portrait Of An Alcoholic
◦ The Symptoms of Alcoholism
◦ Basic Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Hard Facts About Alcoholism
◦ Cautions Concerning Non Alcoholic Beer
◦ The College Campus And Alcoholism
◦ Dangers of Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 1-6
◦ Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 6-12
◦ What Causes An Alcoholic Blackout
◦ New Shot to Treat Alcoholism
◦ Alcoholism's Physical Effects
◦ Group Support For Alcoholism
◦ Threats From Alcoholism
◦ The Truth About Alcoholism
◦ Treating The Three Main Issues In Alcoholism
◦ Treatments for Alcoholism
◦ Vitamins and Supplements For The Alcoholic
◦ Recovering From Alcoholism
◦ Help Your Teen Avoid Becoming An Alcoholic
◦ What Is Alcholism
◦ Family Members Drinking Too Much
◦ Explain Alcoholism
◦ Who Are The Alcoholics
◦ Women Fighting The Consequences of Alcoholism
◦ Al Anon Support For The Alcoholic's Family
◦ Health Consequences Of Alcoholism
◦ Medications Used For Treating Alcoholism
◦ Screening Tests For Alcoholism
◦ What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism
◦ What the Bible Says About Alcohol Abuse
◦ How to Stop Drinking Alcohol without AA
◦ The Truth About Alcoholics Anonymous
◦ Alcoholism - Curable or Just Controllable
◦ The Causes of Alcoholism
◦ So How Much Drinking Really Is Too Much?
◦ Is Alcoholism Hereditary
◦ What Children Need to Know About Alcohol
◦ How to Recognize When Children are Drinking
◦ What You Need to Know about how to Set Up an Intervention for an Alcoholic
◦ How to Quit Drinking Without Gaining Weight