Dealing with an alcoholic parent, how to do that? As custodial parents, we are all too aware of the challenges that come with parenting a child whose other parent is struggling with an addiction. Unfortunately, when it comes to alcohol abuse, both the family and legal system can be ill-equipped to handle these situations efficiently or fairly.
The ramifications of this have long-lasting consequences for everyone involved. Families must learn how to best protect their children while navigating a complex court system — all during an intensely difficult circumstance.
In order to begin this process effectively, attorneys should understand the basics of custody proceedings in cases where one parent is dealing with alcoholism. Keep on reading for ways for dealing with an alcoholic parent.
The Signs of Alcohol Addiction
The signs of alcohol addiction may vary from one person to the next, but there are some telltale indications you should be aware of. These include:
- Are you or someone close to you regularly consuming more alcohol than planned?
- Does that person find it difficult to reduce the amount of drinking, even if there are health issues present due to their excessive consumption?
- Are they less and less committed to work, family, and other duties in life as a result of their deteriorating mental well-being from withdrawal symptoms when not drinking?
- Have changes been noticed in physical appearances such as poor hygiene habits or defensive behavior when criticized?
If so, these may be signs suggesting an alcohol problem.
Despite the fact that some individuals with alcohol use disorder may appear to be functioning normally, as the child of an alcoholic parent, you likely have noted certain signs and symptoms such as:
- They meticulously choose their refreshments, and only indulge at specific times or in particular circumstances.
- They have requested you to conceal the evidence of their alcoholism, like fabricating sicknesses as an excuse for not going into work or borrowing cash.
- Excessive drinking can lead to missing important events or obligations, and those consequences can be far-reaching.
If you are concerned about your parent, it can often be difficult to determine the right steps to take. Navigating how best to aid an alcoholic parent in getting back on track may seem especially daunting if you’re a young adult.
Ways for Dealing with An Alcoholic Parent – Children Advice
1. Don’t blame yourself – It’s important to understand that you are not responsible for your parent’s alcoholism. You may feel like you should be able to fix the problem, but it’s important to remember that an addiction is something only they can truly address and take control of.
2. Educate yourself to understand – Educating yourself on the subject can help you understand what your parent is going through, and why it’s so difficult for them to quit.
3. Do not argue, especially when they’re intoxicated – Arguing with your parent while they are under the influence will only make matters worse. Calmly explain that you don’t want to argue or talk about their drinking and walk away if necessary.
4. Get support – While dealing with an alcoholic parent can be emotionally draining, it’s important to find a support system of reliable people you can turn to. Whether it’s family, friends or even a therapist, having someone to talk to who understands your situation can help provide perspective and emotional relief.
5. Seek professional help – If the problem persists, seek out professional help for dealing with an alcoholic parent. Alcoholics Anonymous can provide support for those struggling with addiction, and mental health professionals can offer guidance on how to best handle the situation as it arises.
6. Set boundaries – It’s important to set boundaries when dealing with an alcoholic parent. This means not allowing yourself to become their emotional punching bag or putting up with the inappropriate behavior.
7. Take care of yourself – Dealing with an alcoholic parent can be emotionally taxing. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself to relax, de-stress and focus on activities that make you feel good. This might mean spending time with friends or family, engaging in a hobby or taking part in a support group.
8. Build positive emotional habits – Growing up with an alcoholic or addicted parent can cause some individuals to be conditioned into not expressing their emotions and opinions. This habit may have the potential of protecting them from emotional turmoil during difficult times, but it ultimately proves ineffective in other aspects of life such as forming meaningful relationships.
Ways for Dealing with An Alcoholic Parent – Other Parent Advice
1. Avoid enabling – As hard as it may be, especially when you are living with an alcoholic husband or wife, it’s important to avoid enabling your partner in their alcoholism. This involves not giving them money or bailing them out of situations when they get into trouble due to drinking.
2. Don’t take on the responsibility – It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to take responsibility for your partner’s alcoholism and trying to fix it. However, this will only lead you down a path of frustration and blame.
3. Set limits – Setting clear boundaries with your partner is important when dealing with an alcoholic parent. Make sure there are consequences if they break the rules in order to keep them accountable and ensure they understand your limits.
4. Seek help – If dealing with your partner’s alcoholism becomes too much for you to handle, seek professional help. Therapists can provide guidance and support on how to move forward in the relationship, as well as how to cope with the day-to-day stress that comes from dealing with an alcoholic parent.
5. Take care of yourself – Taking care of your own wellbeing is essential when dealing with an alcoholic parent. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself to relax, de-stress and focus on activities that make you feel good. This might mean spending time with friends or family, engaging in a hobby or taking part in a support group.
6. Reach out – Finally, reaching out to your local community can be a great way to find help and support when dealing with an alcoholic parent. Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous offer resources for those dealing with addiction, and can provide guidance on how to best handle the situation as it arises. This can lead to the final result, like divorcing the alcoholic partner.
Could I Call CPS when There is An Alcoholic Parent?
In some cases, yes. Child Protective Services (CPS) can become involved if an alcoholic parent is putting their child in danger through neglect or abuse. If you have observed or been made aware of any neglect or misuse of a child, it is important to report this information to the relevant authorities.
However, it’s important to consider that CPS may not always be the best route to take, and it’s important to consider all other options before taking this step. Additionally, if you are dealing with an alcoholic parent in your own home, it is important to ensure that you have enough support from family and friends before involving any outside agencies.
What Do Judges Consider Alcoholism in Custody Case?
When determining child custody, judges must take into account the best interests of the child. This includes factors such as the stability of both parents, their ability to provide a safe and stable home environment, and any other issues that may have an impact on the safety and well-being of the child. If dealing with an alcoholic parent, judges will consider whether the parent is able to provide a safe and stable home environment, and may also order mandatory drug tests for the parent in question. Additionally, judges will consider any treatment plans that are in place for dealing with addiction, as well as any other resources available to support this individual’s recovery and also review strictly about the visitation rights of the alcoholic parent to their child.
FAQs of Dealing With An Alcoholic Parent
What is the common trait of an alcoholic?
Generally, an alcoholic’s personality is like that of other people, with the exception that it may be more extreme. Low frustration tolerance seems to be a common trait among alcoholics; they tend to feel even more distressed when faced with long-term dysphoria or slow results for tedious tasks. Moreover, their impulsiveness often surpasses those who don’t struggle with alcoholism.
How to tell my father to stop drinking?
Utter your thoughts in a soothing, kindly and compassionate way. Your father will recognize that you care deeply about them, resulting in a positive reaction from him or her. Aim to approach the conversation when they are taking action towards quitting alcohol consumption – it suggests that they have admitted their drinking problem and long for an answer for this issue.
How can alcoholism run in the family?
Alcohol metabolism-related genes ADH1B and ALDH2 appear to be the most strongly associated with risk for problem drinking. If a person has a family history of alcohol use disorders, they may naturally become more vulnerable to developing an alcohol-related affliction themselves–with even greater chances if there is parent-to-child transmission present.
Conclusion
Dealing with an alcoholic parent can be a difficult and complex situation. Having the right knowledge and support network is essential when dealing with this issue, as it can help to ensure the safety of all involved.
It is important to remember that dealing with an alcoholic parent is not something that one person can fix alone – seeking outside help may be necessary in order to ensure all parties are safe and protected. With the right resources, guidance and support, dealing with an alcoholic parent can be a manageable situation and allow for a healthier future.
