The challenge

How do you feel waking up to a drug or alcohol addicted parent each day? Of course you feel angry or perhaps frustrated and most times embarrassed.
Don't feel alone. Countless number of people feel the same way. But the real question is, what can I do in this situation? This article highlights six steps to dealing with this situation.

A more closer look

Knowing more about your parent's situation is vital. Get more information on what addiction means, who are the victims and why. Your parent might not just be an alcoholic, they might just be suffering from a drinking disorder or an uncontrolled obsession with alcohol. Many alcohol/drug addicts may also be suffering from an emotional trauma but that doesn't rule out the fact that an individual could be physically disposed to taking too much alcohol. Some may battle with negative feelings or may have a bad childhood and resort to alcohol to numb the feelings. But of course, drinking results in more problems and your parent would be needing help.



Only trying to understand your parent's problem doesn't end it all, knowing more will help you show more understanding and care for that one. It would also help to readjust your expectations.

Action plan/Tips

1) You are not responsible for your parent's problem so don't take responsibility for that. Your parent is. You can't protect them from facing the consequences of their actions. For example, you need not make up false stories to his employer on how he missed a day of his work.

2)Advise your parent to get needed help. Your parent might not admit that he/she may have a problem, but speak to him/her when they are sober or more prone to listening. And you don't have to do this on your own. Ask other members of your family to come with you.

3) when you sense trouble, leave immediately. Don't get into an argument or a quarrel and put yourself at risk. Exit the scene and go somewhere else and seek help if things start turning violent.

4) Admit how you feel. Its alright if you feel resentful or guilty. But sometimes show respect to that one as you would an officer of the law. This doesn't show approval for his/her behavior and neither are you a bad person for rejecting it.

5) Find encouraging friends who can understand your feelings and support you when necessary. This is vital so as to get away from stress that results from your situation.

6) Get personal help. Share your feelings with a very close and trusted matured adult. Don't be afraid to seek help from these ones as you'll get the comfort you need.

You can't change your problem, but you can change your feelings and attitude towards it. This will enable you think positively and encourage your parent seek help.



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Lalasticlala myndy44 pls move this to FTP

Very good. Additionally, remove yourself from their house asap. I have worked with children of addicts. It is hell on earth to grow up in such a home.

Mindfulness:
Very good. Additionally, remove yourself from their house asap. I have worked with children of addicts. It is hell on earth to grow up in such a home.

Constant abuse is way too much. They don't know they are killing the children physically, mentally and emotionally

Jollyana:


Constant abuse is way too much. They don't know they are killing the children physically, mentally and emotionally

One of these kids told me that her father urinated in bed when drunk and that her mother had to call the ambulance because he started to bite glass bottles as his neural system was affected to the point where he was not even knowing and feeling what he was doing.

Sometimes it is better for your mother or father not to be around. And this was such a case.

Mindfulness:


One of these kids told me that her father urinated in bed when drunk and that her mother had to call the ambulance because he started to bite glass bottles as his neural system was affected to the point where he was not even knowing and feeling what he was doing.

Sometimes it is better for your mother or father not to be around. And this was such a case.

Yeah right. He might have thrown one piece of glass at one of them or something like that. How is she coping now?Has things changed for her?

Jollyana:


Yeah right. He might have thrown one piece of glass at one of them or something like that. How is she coping now?Has things changed for her?

I am not in touch with her. The father went into rehab several times to start drinking again a few weeks later. The authorities threatened to take their children away so the mother eventually moved out with them. I do not know how they are doing now but leaving the father was a great relief. The man was seriously sick but helping him made everyone else sick too.

Lalasticlala, mynndy44, ishilove

Get professional help.

It's a pity that only 1:6 adult substance abusers get the substance abuse dependence treatment that they require.

We should start treating substance abuse as a medical disorder which it is but we must all join hands to fight it as it's a bane of our growth as a society.


@OP, nice topic! *thumbs*

Jollyana:
Lalasticlala, mynndy44, ishilove

Went through your blog. Love the efforts.


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