Over 10 percent of kids are affected by an alcoholic parent (Buddy T). That means that over 10% of families are also affected by alcoholism. How alcoholism affects a family mainly has to do with who the alcoholic is, what the alcoholic does, and how the family reacts.
First, we need to talk about who the alcoholic is. If the alcoholic is a parent, then the disease will have greater effects on a child. Many children of alcoholics or COA's develop low self-esteem, loneliness, fears of abandonment, and chronic depression. A COA also may feel responsible for problems of the alcoholic parent. Older COA's also have symptoms of perfectionism or hoarding (Huffner).
Second, what does the alcoholic do? In many cases the alcoholic is very abusive
First, we need to talk about who the alcoholic is. If the alcoholic is a parent, then the disease will have greater effects on a child. Many children of alcoholics or COA's develop low self-esteem, loneliness, fears of abandonment, and chronic depression. A COA also may feel responsible for problems of the alcoholic parent. Older COA's also have symptoms of perfectionism or hoarding (Huffner).
Second, what does the alcoholic do? In many cases the alcoholic is very abusive