How to Encourage a Parent to Drink Less Alcohol

Living with an alcoholic parent is no fun. You're too embarrassed to invite friends over, so you don't even bother making any. Not only does your parent's drinking affect her life, it silently destroys yours. Take comfort in the fact that you're not alone and there are steps you can take to ease the pain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Realize that an addiction to alcohol is a disease. Along with the physical addiction, there is an emotional addiction that the alcoholic can't overcome most of the time. Your parent is beyond the point of controlling her alcohol intake; it controls her.
2. Discuss the situation with your parent. Tell him how you feel when he is sound asleep on the sofa at dinnertime. Explain how hard it is for you to sleep when you're worried about him.
3. Talk with your school counselor or your pastor for support. In spite of your parent's plea for you to keep silent, you don't have to suffer without help. Ignoring the situation will only make it worse.
4. Find an alcoholic treatment program in your community and attend meetings designed for the children of alcoholics. Alateen, a branch of Alcoholics Anonymous, exists to help kids deal with parents who drink too much (see Resources below).
5. Seek help immediately if your home environment becomes violent. Unfortunately, alcohol affects some people by making them angry. Under no circumstances is it okay for anyone to abuse you.
6. Call the National Domestic Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE for help dealing with an abusive parent. If you or another family member is in immediate danger, call 911.