LIVING WITH AN ALCOHOLIC PARENT

Many teens have a secret. The secret is their parent is an alcoholic. While most teens have stresses in their lives, teens that live with an alcoholic parent have extra stress. Alcoholism is a disease that often tears families apart. While the teen loves the person who is drinking, they do not love the behavior. Often, alcoholic parents are emotionally or physically abusive to others in the family. Sometimes drunk parents get violent or they do embarrassing things in public.

You are not alone if you have an alcoholic parent. Remember that the only person who can change alcoholic behavior is that person. Denying the problem or covering up does not help at all. All it does is enable the drunk person to continue their behavior. Talking to a trusted adult can help. Make an appointment with your school nurse, counselor, healthcare provider, or religious leader.

Most communities have a youth organization called Alateen. Alateen is a part of Al-Anon. Al-Anon is worldwide organization that provides non-professional support to families and friends of alcoholics. Al-Anon and Alateen support is based on the Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

For more information visit Al-Anon/Alateen on the Web at www.al-anon.alateen.org. For meeting information call 1-888-4AL-ANON or 1-888-425-2666.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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