Dealing with a parent's alcoholism can be very stressful and isolating, but you are not alone.

Talking Points:

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Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  3. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

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Dealing with a parent's alcoholism can be very stressful and isolating, but you are not alone.

Key Points:

  • How a child copes depends on how old they are.
  • Most often what needs to happen is another adult coming in to help the child.
  • Children need to have their reality verified. Giving them the space to voice their concerns without feeling like they are betraying their parent is very important.
  • Take advantage of support groups like Al-Anon, Alateen, and ACOA.
  • The key is to get support and not go it alone.

Quote This:

“The main issue is to encourage people to get their own support to help them figure out how to cope with their situation.” -Paul J. Rinaldi

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What emotions do you feel when you allow yourself to think about your parent’s alcoholism? How do you interact with those feelings?
  3. How has your parent’s alcoholism affected you and your family?
  4. What are the dangers of not addressing these issues?
  5. Plan your next step. Write down a firm goal that includes a deadline for either finding a counselor or establishing a connection with Al-Anon or a similar group.
  6. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.