Another consequence of alcoholic drinking is damage to children. Newspapers abound with stories of children being abused by alcoholic parents or being removed from the home because of abuse by the alcoholic parents.
What often goes undocumented is the gradual but subtle damage to children’s emotional health. Compounding that damage is the alcoholic’s denial that their behavior damages the children. One familiar aspect of alcoholism is denial – denial of alcoholism and denial of damage to others. Often, too, the non-alcoholic parent is in denial as well, making excuses for their partner’s behavior and perhaps over-compensating with money and gifts to the children. The children are still damaged, however.
Fortunately, good-hearted people – recovered alcoholics and survivors of alcoholic relationships – created organizations to help adults and children of alcoholics.
In San Jose, there are alcohol and drug abuse counselors, school counselors, Alateen, and Alanon.
Alcoholics, during a moment of clarity and compassion, whether or not in recovery, can provide outside help for their children. They could do it right now.
