National Children of Alcoholics Week
February 12-18, 2006

About
Effects
Mental health
Family history
Finding help

What is National Children of Alcoholics Week?

National Children of Alcoholics Week is an annual, national observance that recognizes the damaging effects of alcoholism on children.
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What are the effects of alcohol on children?

Researchers have found that the effects of alcohol on an unborn child are irreversible. Some children born of mothers who drink while pregnant can have fetal alcohol syndrome, a lifelong set of physical, mental, and neurobehavioral birth defects. Children who grow and mature in an environment surrounded by alcoholism are themselves at high risk for alcohol and other drug problems. These children often live with pervasive tension and stress, have low self-esteem, experience higher levels of anxiety and depression, exhibit higher rates of behavioral disorders, do poorly in school, and have problems coping with everyday life. Children of alcoholics can, however, learn to trust and handle their feelings in healthy ways and build positive, nurturing relationships to help protect them from problems with alcohol.
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How does alcohol affect mental health?

Research suggests a close relationship between alcohol problems and mental health. People with mental health problems are at an increased risk for alcohol problems and vice versa. The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health demonstrated that the prevalence of alcohol dependence overall is more than twice as high in those with mental disorders as in the general population. The same study found that 8.3 percent of the adult population had one or more mental disorders, but that figure rose to 20.6 percent when alcohol abuse or dependence was a factor. It is not clear whether mental health problems are a cause or a consequence of alcohol problems. People may use alcohol to cope with a variety of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. On the other hand, alcohol abuse or dependence can cause a range of problems such as family conflict, job loss, and financial worries that are likely to result in increased levels of anxiety and depression. Some researchers believe there is a common genetic or early family environmental factor that may contribute to both a mental health problem and an alcohol problem in some individuals.
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Are children of alcoholics destined to become adult alcoholics?

Research shows that alcoholism tends to run in families. According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to develop alcoholism. However, lifestyle is also a factor. The behaviors of peers, the amount of stress in a person's life, the availability of alcohol, and family interaction are also factors that may increase the risk for alcoholism. Just because alcoholism tends to run in families does not mean that the child of an alcoholic parent automatically becomes an alcoholic. Children of alcoholic families who understand the problems associated with growing up in an alcoholic family can take steps to protect themselves from many of the consequences.
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How can a person with an alcohol problem find help?

Many national and local resources can provide help for persons with an alcohol problem. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Center has a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-729-6686, and offers a variety of resources. Callers can speak directly with a representative about substance abuse treatment, request printed materials on alcohol or other drugs, and obtain information about a referral to local substance abuse treatment. You also can call the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service at 1-800-662-HELP for information about treatment programs in your community. Many people find that support groups are helpful in aiding recovery. Organizations such as Al-Anon/Alateen (1-888-425-2666; http://www.al-anon.alateen.org), Alcoholics Anonymous (212-870-3400; http://www.aa.org), and the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (1-888-554-2627; http://www.nacoa.org) can provide hope and help.
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