Statistics reflect that one in five adult Americans grew in a household that included an alcoholic. As a result, these children face a bigger risk for developing emotional problems than children who do not have a parent who is an alcoholic. Alcoholism tends to run in families; children with alcoholi The child may perceive himself as the main reason his mother or father drinks, blaming himself for their issue. In addition, the child may fret consistently about the issue at home. He may worry that the alcoholic parent will get sick, and may also fear violence between his parents. Parents suffering from alcoholism may make the child feel as though there is an awful secret at home. The embarrassed child consequently does not invite friends over and fears asking anyone for assistance. Due to the child’s disappointment in his alcoholic parent, he may find it difficult to trust Regardless of how the child behaves, the alcoholic parent will suddenly switch from being loving to angry. A child needs to have a regular daily schedule; this is important to his well-being; but in the home of an alcoholic parent bedtimes and mealtimes are always changing. The child may develop an

The majority of individuals who consume alcohol are social drinkers; the same goes for the majority of individuals who use drugs. Individuals who drink and use drugs socially consume the substance just to enhance the pleasure of typically pleasurable experiences. These individuals do not have any ki Some individuals who consume alcohol and/or take drugs end up abusing them. These individuals consume alcohol or drugs to assist them in changing how they perceive themselves or some area of their lives. These individuals may experience some issues relating to their alcohol or drug use; at the same A few individuals who consume alcohol or use drugs become alcoholics and/or addicts. Individuals who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction undergo adverse consequences relating to drinking or using drugs but still do so in spite of these consequences. They also set limits on how much or how freque Social drinkers and drug users, substance abusers, and individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction often handle their relationships with alcohol and drugs in different ways. To the social drinker or drug user, there is no problem. If it does not affect him or those around him in an adverse