How to Explain Alcoholism to a Child
Most children begin witnessing drinking behaviors at an early age whether they witness this in their own home or through images on television and other popular media. It is important to distinguish the difference between what is responsible drinking behavior, and the condition known as alcoholism. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, there are as many as 18 million alcoholics in the United States and as many as 26.8 million children are exposed to alcoholism on some level, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy website reports. When talking to a child about alcoholism there are several issues to consider.
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Instructions
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Begin talking to your child about alcohol and its effects at a young age. It is never too early to begin having conversations about alcohol. Information should be age-appropriate, and explanations should be kept simple and short with younger children. By beginning early and keeping the lines of communication open, children are more likely to be better prepared and to make good choices.
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Take advantage of teachable moments. Whether it is from real life or what they observe on television, these are effective ways to open up dialogue with children. Children typically make their own judgments and draw conclusions about what they observe. Without informed guidance these observations may translate into false information and send the wrong message.
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Explain that alcoholism is a disease and not a moral failing. Let them know that someone with this disease cannot stop drinking no matter how much they or those around them want them to. Alcoholism not only hurts the individual who drinks, but also those around them. According to the RDC Center for Counseling and Human Development website, as many as one in four American families suffer from alcohol-related problems. This statistic suggests that most children will encounter an alcoholic during their lifetime. Children in alcoholic households especially need to understand that this is a disease and is not that their parent is "bad" or that it is the child's fault.
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Discuss the damaging effects of alcoholism. Things like liver damage, heart disease, brain and nerve damage, osteoporosis, certain cancers and a decreased life expectancy should be explained.
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Talk about the warning signs and symptoms of alcoholism: irritability, drinking in secret, blackouts, excessive forgetfulness, constant cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Nausea, shakiness, anxiety and sweating are some of the physical side effects alcoholics experience when they do not have alcohol.
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Define the risk factors for alcoholism. Starting to drink at a young age, drinking more than one to two drinks each day, smoking cigarettes, high levels of stress or suffering from a pre-existing psychiatric disorder like depression or anxiety are a few of these risk factors. Children of alcoholics are at a much greater risk of developing the disease, making it critical for them to know what to look for early on.
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Tell them how to get help and what resources are available. Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as many local community groups help families suffering from the effects of the disease.
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References
- Photo Credit beer and bottle image by Allen Pinkall from Fotolia.com
