Dear Southern Comfort,

You've already gotten beyond one of the hardest steps in the healing process for children of alcoholics: admitting that a parent's use of alcohol has been unhealthy. Often, sons, daughters, wives, and husbands of alcoholic households learn to deny that any problems exist, and instead cover things up.

The self-awareness and knowledge about your dad's drinking patterns are one facet of the "Profile of a Healthy Drinker" (read Trouble controlling my drinking in Alice's Alcohol, Nicotine, & Other Drugs archives for this information). Because of genetic and environmental influences, children of alcoholics are about three to four times more likely to develop problems with drinking than children of non-alcoholic parents.

To help you get perspective, it might help to know why this seems to happen. Children of alcoholics tend to take on roles that help them adapt to the chaos at home. In an alcoholic household, there's usually a severe lack of role models for expressing emotions positively. So, some children become "placaters," doing anything to keep peace and to comfort others at their own expense. Some assume an adult role, taking care of younger siblings and even their parents. Others will always adjust to whatever's going on, while there are some who act out at home and/or school as a way to get attention and deflect attention from their parents' drinking. It's common among children of alcoholics to continue in these roles as adults. Many marry or make lifelong commitments to other alcoholics (about 50 percent), and many more develop compulsive behavior patterns, such as alcohol or other drug abuse and/or overeating (about 70 percent).

Young and adult children of alcoholics may also face a range of emotional problems. These include a strong sense of guilt, particularly for the parent's drinking; constant anxiety and/or fear of what will happen at home; embarrassment and confusion; an inability to trust others and self; anger; and, depression.

Through all of this, you're definitely not alone. In the United States, there are an estimated 30 million people from alcoholic households. That's right, about ten percent of our total population can relate to your concerns. Many of them have gotten help and worked through the difficult issues they face. There are many organizations nationwide that you can contact to find support, help, and other resources. Among them:

Al-Anon and AlaTeen
24-hour Meeting Information Line (U.S. and Canada):
888-4AL-ANON
General Information and Literature Order Line:
757.563.1600

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA)
888.554.COAS

Children of Alcoholics Foundation, Inc. (an affiliate of Phoenix House)
800.359.2623

Also, if you're a Columbia University student, you can call x4-2878 to make an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Otherwise, your school's counseling service is another place for short- and long-term assistance.

Although your father's trouble with alcohol may have influenced your family life and certain aspects of your adult life, you are in no way at fault. And, while you're probably at more risk for developing problems with drinking because of your family history, you realize that you can make responsible adult decisions about your own alcohol use. You're stepping up to the challenge: you've identified the problem, and you're asking yourself and others how your situation could affect your attitudes about drinking and drinking behavior at school — these are great steps!

Alice

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