Help. my father is an alcoholic : A qualitative study of children of alcoholics

Children who lived with alcoholic parents are at greater risk of suffering negative consequences due to the parental alcoholism. The purpose of this study was to explore some of the consequences of growing up in a family with either one or both parents who are alcoholics. The objective of the study was achieved by conducting interviews on seven adult children of alcoholics, three men and four women between the ages of 19-24.They were selected using snowball sampling. The results showed that there are consequences of living in such an environment. Different roles were undertaken by these children in order to survive the predicaments at home coupled with feelings of anxiety, fear, disappointment and regret. Their view on alcohol was also affected as a result of their parents being alcoholics. Keywords: alcohol, alcoholic parent, alcohol abuse, shame, disorders