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CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS.   Term Paper ID:28159 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Examines problems children encounter incl. Alcohol & drug abuse & mental health problems when parents are alcoholics. Treatment techniques, role of social worker.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Examines problems children encounter incl. Alcohol & drug abuse & mental health problems when parents are alcoholics. Treatment techniques, role of social worker. Paper Introduction: ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS FOR CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS Introduction Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of pathological use which impairs social or occupational functioning and lasts for at least one month. Whether alcoholism is a physical, emotional, or mental disease, remains open to debate (Leuin, 1991). It is estimated that there are over 28 million Americans who are the children of alcoholics (COAs), and that around 11 million of this population are under the age of 18. This at risk group of children are brought up in a chaotic family environment, lacking stability and emotional support (Adger, Macdonald, & Wenger, 1999, p. 1091). Though some will overcome these and other difficulties, many grow up to face alcohol and drug abuse problems or other Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Optimal development may beinterfered with in the substance abuse family. This copingtechnique may manifest itself in the adult, as a helping professional, thusthe family hero turns into a pro. Wood, B. 168-169). The children then experience anxiety, guilt, and anger as wellas shame, humiliation, and helplessness. Research studies regarding treatment of children or adolescents ofalcoholics have concluded that this group benefits most from a grouptreatment approach. Thedepravation experienced as a child must be dealt with along with thecurrent tendencies to continue this pattern (Ryan, 1991). 221-223;Wood, p. Treatment of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) includes individualand group psychotherapy as well as support groups such as Al-Anon (orAlcoholics Anonymous if they have become alcoholics themselves). Treatment Techniques Treatment approaches include supply approaches that attempt toprevent the supply of substances from reaching consumers, and demandapproaches that attempt to decrease substance abuse and include treatmentprograms, education programs, and research on treatment effectiveness withprogram evaluation. Identical and fraternal twin studiesshow that a higher level of alcoholism is found among identical twins;alcoholism frequency is higher in monozygotic twins than for dizygotictwins. (1992).Substance abuse and family illness: Evidence from health care utilizationand cost-offset research. The social worker can begin to assist the child by firstbecoming aware of symptoms that imply an existing problem. Psychiatricdisorders in adult children of problem drinkers: Prevalence, first onsetand comparison with other risk factors. Journal of Mental Health Administration, 19(1),83-95. (1996). 49-64; Markowitz, p. 1 91). D., Scott-Lennox, J. Children of alcoholism: The struggle for selfand intimacy in adult life. As an adult, these needs are transferred toother relationships, in which the COA fails to recognize the shortcomingsof their partner, who is typically an alcoholic (Markowitz, pp. Cuijpers, P., Langendoen, Y., & Bijl, R. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thetherapist provides consistent feedback that validates the child's feelingsand perceptions (Kern, p. School-based supportive services canassist with education and evaluation of abusing families (Nadel &Straussner, pp. Coping mechanisms develop as the COA attempts to survive in thisenvironment. Toassist the COA with substance abuse problems, it is particularly import tounderstand the variety of problems the COA faces, the different types ofcoping mechanisms involved, and the COA's lack of ability to speak to ortrust others. The group environment provides peer support andreduces tendencies for isolation. COAs are at high risk fordeveloping lifetime disorders, as well as alcoholism in adulthood. Northvale, New Jersey: Aronson. 1 91). This at riskgroup of children are brought up in a chaotic family environment, lackingstability and emotional support (Adger, Macdonald, & Wenger, 1999, p.1 91). 316-318; Sher, 1997, pp. V. (1993). This encompasses themany different alcohol abuse problems that are faced by the COA. Genetic theories and research studies, report findings of a25% prevalence toward alcoholism for male relatives of alcoholics;prevalence for females is 5% to 1 %. These childrendemonstrate a decreased ability to return to normality following emotionaldistress, decreased depression or moodiness, and increased aggressivebehavior with low frustration tolerance and emotional control (Johnson &Leff, pp. Longitudinal studies confirm that children exposed to alcohol abusein the uterus have lasting effects that include a risk for futurealcoholism. Thisleads to denial and shame that the ACOA continues to deal with. This is also a place wherethe child can vent anger and find out that their feelings are normal. 144). Ryan, W. Female COAs are prone to somatic disordersand bulimia. Legal measures are employed to help control pregnant substanceabusers and protect the fetus. In N. Nadel, M, & Straussner, S. Thomas. 24).They also learn to avoid expression of feelings since this event would makethe alcoholic worse (Kern, 1985, p. J. Children in substanceabusing families. Treatmentissues in therapy typically include issues of working through denial andshame, understanding that the parent was and is an inadequate source ofemotional support, and the dealing with inner sadness of this deprivation.Children tend to believe that a bad parent is better than no parent. Adoption studies show that male adoptees with alcoholic biologicfathers were four times more likely to become alcoholic (Johnson & Leff,pp. L. In one study, COA women were found to bemore likely to have an alcoholic father and spouse. A. 17 -171). Markowitz (1993) reports that particularcharacteristics, although not unique to COAs, have been associated withthis population. Abandonment is a critical issue (Cuijpers, Langendoen, &Bijl, 1999, p. These children may numb their feelings and responses andreside in a state of depression. Phillips & S. In this case the COA lacks the ability totrust or comfort themselves, leaving them even more vulnerable to externalsources, and more dependent on the rejecting parent. Trust is a critical issue in treatmentand education has been found to be an important element for providingvaluable information to help the child develop appropriate copingmechanisms. This lack of a safe and trustingenvironment further robs the child of an enhanced sense of self-esteem (pp.216-218). A. Onceidentified, the COA will then require a further understanding of theirinabilities to speak to or trust others, or even to be aware of their ownfeelings. (1991). The COA may appear successful in thiscase, however, it is at the expense of their own needs, and results inemptiness and feeling alone. (1999). Leuin, J. Whether alcoholism is a physical, emotional, or mental disease,remains open to debate (Leuin, 1991). Thischild suffers effects from the alcoholic, the alcoholic family environment,and future adult tendencies for drug and alcohol abuse. Kern, J. Psychological characteristics of children ofalcoholics. Clinical workwith substance abusing clients (214-229). New York: Plenum. What is alcoholism? They may experience rages, and they mayalso seek self-medication with alcohol or drugs. Relevance to Social Work Practice The social worker needs to practice from a knowledge base thatincludes a comprehensive understanding of the COA. Symptoms mayinternalize as in the form of anxiety or depression with developingcompulsions or rigidity, or they may externalize into acting out behaviorssuch as aggression or conduct problems. Social workers need to identify children of alcoholics or alcoholicfamilies, to allow for early involvement and meaningful intervenement. Drug education and prevention programs such as the Drug AbuseResistance Education (DARE) program reaches children through the schoolsystem. L. Support groups such as Alateen self-help group for teenagers use theprinciples of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon to teach children aboutalcoholism and how to detach from the alcoholic's behavior. In Treatment of alcoholismand other addictions. L., & Leff, M. "It will never happen to me." New York:Ballantine Books. Straussner (Eds.), Childrenin the urban environment: Linking social policy and clinical practice (154-174). 1 85-1 89). In S. Pediatrics, 1 3(5), 1 85-1113. New York: Guilford Press. 168-169). (1991). COAs are affected by a multitude of problems throughout their lives.There are many types of psychopathology that result in a drinking parentand these difficulties add to the effects of alcoholism. Black, C. The child in group therapy learns that they are not alone orresponsible for the parents' substance abuse. Differences in EEG findings, event-related potentials, andendocrine deviations have been found, which may indicate that COAs reactdifferently to substances due to their unique biochemical transmission.Research has also shown that COAs demonstrate higher levels of bloodacetaldehyde, higher or lower levels of serotonin, increased elation andrelaxation from alcohol, and decreased feelings of intoxication, comparedto children of nonalcoholics (Johnson & Leff, pp. P. 1 87-1 93). Psychoanalytic Psychology, 8(1), 69-82. Alcohol Health and Research World, 21(3), 247-254. (1985). Treatment of adolescents includes additional focus on biopsychosocialchanges that are taking place at this time. It is estimated that there are over28 million Americans who are the children of alcoholics (COAs), and thataround 11 million of this population are under the age of 18. 8-9). ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS FOR CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS Introduction Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of pathological use whichimpairs social or occupational functioning and lasts for at least onemonth. Management of children of alcoholics. Pediatrics, 1 3(5), 1 91. Dynamics and treatment issues with childrenof drug and alcohol abusers. The characteristics of this syndrome includecentral nervous system dysfunction, deformed physical or facial features,behavioral deficiencies, and growth deficits. Gender differences for the COA risk group and its relationship tofuture substance abuse are found. 247-252). 33 ; Markowitz, pp. Otherdescriptions of typical roles include the family hero, the scapegoat, thelost child and the mascot, with the hero (high achieving, responsible)being the most common; children usually fall into one role, but they mayexchange roles when deemed necessary (Wook, 1987, pp. I., & Wenger, S. Othersubstance abuse programs, with group treatment, both out-patient or in-patient, have also been found to help COAs (Nadel & Straussner, pp. They may feel flawed and shamed and seeksocial withdrawal and isolation. Coping strategies includethe becoming "the responsible one," "the adjuster," "the placater," and"the acting out child" (Black, pp. 218). These include an inability to trust and fears ofintimacy, and needs for control, to overcome an external locus of control.Alcoholic families typically suffer from impairment in empathy toward thechild, on the part of the parent, since the substance is of more value.Alcoholism is a consuming preoccupation that renders the parent unavailableto the child in both physical and emotional ways. Treatment issues with adult children ofalcoholics. 1 86-1 91). Sher, K. The teenager needs to focus on age appropriate tasks and betaught appropriate methods of coping with stress, social pressures, anddemanding impulsivity. 315). 1489; Kern, 1985, pp. Helpfor the infant or young COA includes physiological and psychosocial needs.These children are at risk for physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, andearly intervention is important. Policies fall into reinforcement or punishmentapproaches, treatment-oriented approaches, and education/preventionapproaches (Nadel & Straussner, 1996, pp. D. L. Addiction, 94(1 ), 1489-1498. A., & Holder, H. Additional psychiatric disorders such as depressionmay also need to be dealt with (Nadel & Straussner, pp. (1999). References Adger, H., Macdonald, D. Though some will overcome these and other difficulties, many grow upto face alcohol and drug abuse problems or other serious emotional andcoping problems. Adolescent treatment programs includeresidential-, school-, clinic-, and community-based, and boot camp-likefacilities. 88). Straussner (Ed.). The social worker must be knowledgeable regarding the differenttreatment modalities, to determine the best treatment possibility for theCOA. The COA continues tohope to obtain the connection to the parent that they seek, with theconstant adjusting of their own behavior to suit their delusional orimagined view of the parent. Introduction andcomments from the co-editors (supplement on the care of children ofalcoholics). Many may need to be removedfrom a dysfunctional home. This paper will review theliterature regarding the impact of substance abuse on COAs and treatmenttechniques for COAs, and relate this information to social work practice. Child abuse among these children is also prevalent; studiesestimate that 11.9% to 69% of COAs are abuse victims (Adger, Macdonald, &Wenger, p. 224-225). COAs learn not to talk, feel, or trust (Black, 1981, p. TheNational Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) and other agencieshave addressed this concern for COAs and have reported symptoms and needsof these children, to assist social workers and other health practitioners(Adger, Macdonald, & Wenger, p. In another study of169 COAs, women who described a positive relationship with an alcoholicfather were found to be a greater risk for alcohol or drug abuse (Johnson &Leff, pp. 1 87-1 95). Early interventionis optimal. 168-169). InZimbers, Wallace & Blume (Eds.), Practical approaches to alcoholismpsychotherapy (315-345). These children areassociated with hyperactivity, mental retardation, and EEG(electroencephalographic) abnormalities (Johnson & Leff, 1999, pp. COAs differ in their biologic mechanisms, compared to children ofnonalcoholics. (1999). Children of substance abusers:Overview of research findings. 162-163). The effectiveness of these types of programs remains unknown.However, research concludes that prevention services help the childrenclarify values, discover the dynamics of their dysfunctional families,improve decision-making and choose more appropriate friends (Nadel &Straussner, pp. For example,symptoms of poor health and acting out behavior may be indicative of aproblem as are coping strategies such as being overly responsible. New York: New York University Press.----------------------- 1 Substance Abuse Impact on COAs The impact of substance abuse on the COAs begins with the fetus.Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is found in the offspring of mothers who drinkexcessively during pregnancy. These children tend tobe unfairly blamed or punished as the alcoholic parent displaces theirfeelings. Depending on the age of the COA and the life circumstances, treatmentmay include removal of the child or adolescent from the home, and/oreducation, with treatment of a family member, and individual or grouptreatment for the child. Tempermant differences for COAs have also been noted. Johnson, J. Lennox, R. L. (1981). (1987). 1 87-1 91). A typical coping mechanism for the COA is to become overly sensitiveand attuned to others, beginning with the parental needs. C. Research shows that alcoholism in sons, daughters, andgrandsons is associated with parental alcoholism, as are many mental healthproblems, to include depression, panic attacks, and antisocial andobsessive-compulsive disorders. Markowitz, R. (1997). Early symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal andmusculoskeletal complaints may be an indication of alcohol problems (Adger,Macdonald, & Wenger, p. 1 91; Lennox, Scott-Lennox, & Holder, 1992, p. The law is also employed to help protectchildren in substance abuse families (Child abuse and neglect law). If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.