The effects of alcohol abuse and addiction on children in Vancouver, British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Alcohol addiction and recovery.
The usual statement you may hear from the majority of alcoholics is: “My drinking problem is hurting nobody by myself”. However, the truth is that this is not entirely the truth. Alcoholism affects everyone around the addict, extending beyond that person. In fact, the children are the most vulnerable victims affected by this problem.
The result of growing up with an alcoholic parent can be long-term emotional and psychological reactions. Dr. Janet G. Woititz explains the behaviours of children who grow up under the wing of an alcoholic, in her book. She points out that these children carry psychological and emotional pain throughout their lives. Studies by other experts have shown the same negative effects caused by alcoholic parents to their children.
Anxiety
Constantly worrying about the situation at home leads to anxiety. The fear of finding their addict parent hurt or sick is something children of alcoholics have to live with. This anxiety can come from a fear of witnessing violence between the parents due to a drinking problem in some cases. Children find it difficult to have fun with others as a result of this constant anxiety.
Guilt
For some children there is a belief that their parent’s drinking problem is somehow their fault. This causes them to seek approval from others. Children of alcoholics, according to Dr. Woititz, are often afraid of facing criticism and become too eager to please everyone. This guilt, in some cases, results in the child feeling helpless to change the situation, and depressed.
Embarrassment
Embarrassment causes some children to try to hide their parent’s drinking problem from others. They will not ask for help from others or invite friends over at home. This can also mean they end up shying away from crowds at school, isolating themselves out of fear that others might learn of their situation at home. This makes it difficult for them to form relationships.
Anger
The children of alcoholics can grow up fostering feelings of resentment and distrust for both parents. The anger they feel towards the addict parent is usually because of the problems they cause in the family while the bitterness they feel towards the non-alcoholic parent is for the fact that they didn’t do anything to change the situation. This anger may be carried throughout their lives.
Although alcohol has already ruined too many family occasions and holidays, it is never to late to change the problem and stop. At our center, we are always ready to help families to mend broken relationships that have been ruined by alcoholism, and get back on their feet. Call us now to find out how we can help with a solution to the problem.
Options Okanagan Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.
Our unique and distinctive Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Vancouver, Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.
Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and British Columbia for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.
Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Alcohol Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331