Top 5 Struggles Common among Adult Children of Alcoholics
Were you raised by a parent or caregiver struggling with an alcohol use disorder? Are you currently in recovery? If you answered “yes” to both questions, you are not alone. A great many people in recovery are not only learning how to function without drugs or alcohol but doing so while managing the fallout of a dysfunctional childhood created by a parent’s substance use disorder.
It is for you that Children of Alcoholics Week was created, a time to spread awareness of the common issues faced by adults who were raised by a parent in active addiction and to provide you with the support you need to continue forward in recovery. For many adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) in recovery, it is not always easy to:
1. Know what is socially acceptable: Responding appropriately in social situations may not come naturally to ACOAs since they did not have a great example of how to positively interact with others growing up. Additionally, the direction they did receive may have been more focused on the immediate need and desire of the parent in addiction rather than what was socially acceptable behavior.
2. Tell the truth: Even when the truth would work perfectly fine, many ACOAs freeze up and throw out a lie in conversation because they are unsure — and very worried about — how they are perceived by others. This plays into the lack of ability to discern what is considered socially appropriate in interpersonal situations.
3. Manage impulsive behaviors: Impulsive choices made with little thought to consequences are common among ACOAs. Often, more time is spent “cleaning up” the consequences of those choices than considering the best path forward.
4. Maintain healthy relationships: Impulsive behavior, dishonesty, and a lack of understanding of how to behave or what is acceptable to expect from others in a relationship can make it difficult for ACOAs to function healthfully in friendships and romantic relationships.
5. See a project through to completion: With all the stress associated with how one is being perceived, what is socially acceptable in terms of behavior, and ups and downs in relationships, it is not uncommon for ACOAs to exhibit changeability to the point that they often have a hard time following through on projects.
The commonly faced struggles essentially add up to high stress levels for many ACOAs in recovery and triggers for relapse as a result. Are any of the issues above causing you to crave drugs and alcohol and/or relapse?
Is Treatment Your Next Step?
If you are struggling with a substance use disorder due in part to the trauma you faced growing up with an alcoholic parent or caregiver, it may be that treatment is the best choice. As a firefighter, you will find the most efficient assistance when you opt into a program like American Addiction Center’s First Responder Lifeline Program. This highly acclaimed program offers:
· Therapists and treatment professionals who are trained to work with first responders
· Full evaluation and assessment to identify untreated mental health symptoms related to trauma
· Unique treatment plans with a focus on first responders
· Interactive therapies that are research-based
· Aftercare and support that includes reintegration assistance
Is it time to look into the treatment program that can help you start your own healing journey? Contact American Addiction Centers at (888) 731-FIRE (3473) today.
