Risk factors in the transmission of alcoholism from parent to child

1842 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: parental alcoholism effects on children

Alcoholism is a major contributor to dysfunction in families today. Research has shown that children who are born to an alcoholic family are adversely affected by alcoholism in their development (Baker and Stephenson, 1995). Children of alcoholics possess a greater risk of acquiring alcoholism as a result of their parent¡¦s alcoholism (Reich, 1997). Within the body of this paper, this thesis will be supported. The text of this paper will list and describe risk factors in the transmission of alcoholism from parent to child, both specifically related to alcohol use and influences of a psychosocial nature.

It has been speculated for some time that alcoholism has biological roots, being passed down to children from generation to generation. Whether the influence is hereditary, environmental, or a combination of both factors has not yet been definitively proven. Studies conducted in the 1950's and 1960's on the continuance of alcoholism in families pointed to environmental causes, such as deficient parenting, lack of positive role models, and poor home lives. Since the 1970¡¦s however, researchers studied the possible genetic components of inheriting alcoholism. Studies were conducted using identical and fraternal twins, half-siblings, and children of adoption and focused on the development of alcoholism in these children. Reich states that these studies have provided proof that genetic factors do play an important part in the acquisition of alcoholism and that alcoholism can be transmitted familially (Reich, 1997).

More research has been conducted that clearly shows the vulnerability of children born into alcoholic families in becoming alcoholic. According to Reich, when comparing children from alcoholic families to children ...

... middle of paper ...

...s that suffered from alcoholism and to possess a greater genetic risk for alcoholism (Ellis and Zucker, 1997).

References

Baker, D.E., & Stephenson, L.A. (1995). Personality Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 51, 694-702.

Ellis, D.A., & Zucker, R.A. (1997). The Role of Family Influences in Development and Risk. Alcohol Health and Research World. 21, 218-227.

Fischer, K.E., & Kittleson, M. (2000). The Relationship of Parental Alcoholism and Family Dysfunction to Stress Among College Students. Journal of American College Health. 48, 151-157.

Jacob, T., & Johnson, S. (1997). Parenting Influences on the Development of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. Alcohol Health & Research World. 21, 204-210.

Reich, W. (1997).Prospective Studies of Children of Alcoholic Parents. Alcohol Health & Research World. 21, 255-257.

Show More
Related

  • The Glass Castle Alcoholism Essay

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the article “Children of Alcoholics” produced by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the author explains the negative effect of parental alcoholism on their children’s emotional wellbeing, when he writes, “Children with alcoholic parents are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, antisocial behavior, relationship difficulties, behavioral problems, and/or alcohol abuse. One recent study finds that children of drug-abusing fathers have the worst mental health issues (Children of Alcoholics 1). Walls reflects upon her childhood experiences in which her father would become drunk and not be able to control his behavior, as she writes, “After working on the bottle for a while, Dad turned into an angry-eyed stranger who threw around furniture and threatened to beat up Mom or anyone else who got in his way. When he’d had his fill of cussing and hollering and smashing things up, he’d collapse” (Walls 23). The Walls children, who frequently encounter their father’s abusive behavior, are affected mentally in the same way that national studies have shown. Jeanette Walls describes how, after drinking, her father’s behavior becomes cruel and intolerable through his use of profanity, threats, and angry, even violent, actions. In a conventional family, a parent has the responsibility of being a role model to influence their children in a positive way as they develop. Unfortunately, in the Walls family and other families with alcoholic parents, children are often subject to abuse and violence, which places them at risk, not only physically, but mentally. Rex’s irrational behavior when he is drunk is detrimental to the children’s upbringing, causing them to lose trust in their parents, have significantly lower self-esteem and confidence, and feel insecure. Rex’s behavior contributes to Jeanette’s

    Read More

  • Family Therapy Involving an Alcoholic Parent

    1636 Words  | 4 Pages

    One in five adults can identify with growing up with an alcoholic relative and Twenty-eight million Americans have one parent abusing or dependent on alcoholic (Walker, & Lee, 1998). There are devastating and ubiquitous effects of alcoholism, which vary from psychological, social, or biological problems for families. Counselor’s treating this problem all agree that the relationships within a family, especially between a parent and a child is one of the most influential within a system, but what are the effects on the family when a parent is an alcoholic? Contemporary research has found there is a higher prevalence of problems in the family when alcohol is the organizing principle. In addition, there is copious research on the roles of individuals within the family becoming defined into specific categories, and evidently, the roles may become reversed between the parent and the child. This topic of functional roles in alcoholic families will be analyzed and investigated further. Family therapy has had substantial results in the treatment of an alcoholic parent. These results will be discussed more along, with the literature examining the existing research related, to specific interventions and treatments in family therapy with an alcoholic parent. Before research on the treatment is illuminated on distinctive therapies, it is crucial for counselors facilitating family therapy to comprehend the literature on the presenting problems commonly, associated with alcoholic parents and the effects this population has on their families. Furthermore, the adverse outcomes an alcoholic parent has on their children and spouses has been researched and reviewed.

    Read More

  • Drug Abuse and The Theories Behind Addiction

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ence of alcoholism. In the same way a family history of alcohol could be a genetic factor in the client’s drinking problem, so could the acceptance of alcohol as a tool of avoidance. This client was given alcohol at 6 years old by her teenage sister to numb her pain. We do not know why her sister began drinking, but an assumption can be made that the practice is not generally disapproved of since underage drinking appears to be a norm in this family unit.

    Read More

  • Alcoholism: Recovery Experiences Between Men And Women

    2428 Words  | 5 Pages

    Alcoholism has been a fixture in our society since the first introduction of alcohol. Despite it being an equal opportunity disease, a large majority of not only the treatment, but also the research, has been about men. This lack of consideration of the different needs for men and women has led to many women going through recovery systems that do not address their experiences, and therefore do not allow them to take full advantage of that recovery system. This paper will attempt to look at the different experiences that men and women have in their journey through a substance addiction (particularly alcohol), from addiction through recovery. The main recovery method that will be discussed here is Alcoholics Anonymous. As an observation addition to this assignment, I sat in on an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Kerrville, TX. The meeting was on Thanksgiving Day at noon. I took detailed notes of the meeting, while keeping a watchful eye for any gendered interactions during the flow of the meeting.

    Read More

  • An Outsider’s View of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today, one out of every thirteen adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholics. That means nearly thirteen million Americans have a drinking problem. (www.niaaa.nih.gov) This topic offers a broad range of ideas to be researched within the psychological field. For this particular project, the topic of alcoholism and the psychological effects on people best fit the criteria. Alcoholism is defined as a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages, leading to physical and psychological harm and impaired social and vocational functioning. (www.dictionary.com) Through this project, the most important information regarding personal experiences dealing with alcoholism will be revealed. Not only are statistics, like the facts mentioned before, important when dealing with an issue such as alcoholism, but personal accounts and information are often more powerful and influential evidence. Non-alcoholics should be allowed to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for research purposes.

    Read More

  • Homelessness with Mental Illnesses in Crisis

    1741 Words  | 4 Pages

    Strine, T. W., Dube, S. R., Edwards, V. J., Prehn, A. W., Rasmussen, S., Wagenfield, M., … Croft, J., (2012) Associations between adverse childhood experiences, psychological distress, and adult alcohol problems. American Journal of Health Behavior, 36(3), 408-423. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.36.3.11

    Read More

  • Two Prevalent Authorities In Your Life

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    The familial pattern of alcoholism had a lasting impact on me through the awareness that I have a predisposition to alcoholism. In order for me not to become addicted to alcohol, I would need to be vigilant about

    Read More

  • Social Issues Presented in Jeannette Wall's Memoir, The Glass Castle

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    throughout her childhood with an alcoholic father and a selfish mother who cared more about her art and happiness than that of her children’s. Alcohol misuse can affect all aspects of family functioning: social life, finances, good communication, relationships between family members, parenting capability, employment and health issues , It also has a strong correlation with conflicts, disputes and domestic violence which can leave a damaging effect on children. Alcohol misuse often times change the roles played by family member...

    Read More

  • Alcoholism Case Study

    671 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nurnberger, John. "Alcoholism Is a Genetic Disorder." Alcohol Abuse. Ed. Christine Watkins. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Unraveling the Genetics or Alcohol...

    Read More

  • Alcohol and the Family

    1683 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the United States alone, there are 28 million children of alcoholics - seven million of these children are under the age of eighteen.   Every day, these children experience the horrors of living with an alcoholic parent. 40%-50% of children of alcoholics grow up and become alcoholics themselves. Others develop eating disorders or become workaholics. Children of alcoholics receive mixed messages, inconsistency, upredictability, betrayal, and sometimes physical and sexual abuse from their parents. They are made to grow up too fast because they must help keep the family structure together by doing housework and taking care of siblings since the alcoholic is not doing his or her part. Children form roles that they play to help disguise the disease. The roles help distract people from seeing the real problem and serve to protect the family so it can continue to function. There are five roles that the family members will take on-- the enabler, the hero, the scapegoat, the lost child, and the mascot.

    Read More

  • Dry: A Memoir

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    Slutske, W. S., D’Onofrio, B. M., Turkheimer, E., Emery, R. E., Harden, K. P., Heath, A. C., et al. (2008). Searching for an environmental effect of parental alcoholism on offspring alcohol use disorder: A genetically informed study of children of alcoholics. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 117, 534-551.

    Read More

  • Adult Children of Alcoholics

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    The crippling effects of alcoholism and drug dependency are not confined to the addict alone. The family suffers, physically and emotionally, and it is the children who are the most disastrous victims. Frequently neglected and abused, they lack the maturity to combat the terrifying destructiveness of the addict’s behavior. As adults these individuals may become compulsively attracted to the same lifestyle as their parents, excessive alcohol and drug abuse, destructive relationships, antisocial behavior, and find themselves in an infinite loop of feelings of emptiness, futility, and despair. Behind the appearance of calm and success, Adult Children of Alcoholics often bear a sad, melancholy and haunted look that betrays their quietest confidence. In the chilling silence of the darkest nights of their souls, they yearn for intimacy: their greatest longing, and deepest fear. Their creeping terror lives as the child of years of emotional, and sometimes physical, family violence.

    Read More

  • Sociological Perspectives on Alcohol Use, Problems, and Policy

    2339 Words  | 5 Pages

    Latham, P.K., & Napier, T.L. (1992). Psychosocial consequences of alcohol misuse in the family of origin. The International Journal of the Addictions, 27, 1137-1158.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Nature Vs Nurture

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    Researchers have placed more emphasis on nature because of addictions (Agin).. For this reason, there is the same amount of chances to be an alcoholic as there is to have a mental disorder if someone in the family has had or was either because of genes. Newspaper reports, “scientists are on the verge of discovering the gene for alcoholism.” (McLeod). Gaten himself in 1883 suggested that human society could be improved by “better breeding” (McLeod). What Gaten is trying to say is that the children of two adults would not have any mental disorders or be an alcoholic if there was better breeding. The behavioral genes are the genes that gives inheritance of alcoholism, or addiction. So, behavioral genes can give inheritance of alcoholism or other addictions by the wrong breeding. In summation, if one's grandparent or even an ancestor has an addiction, there will be a good chance that the breeds will have the same type of

    Read More

  • Symptoms, Causes, and Effects of Alcoholism

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    The cause of alcoholism is a combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors that may contribute to the development of...

    Read More

More about Risk factors in the transmission of alcoholism from parent to child

Open Document