Discusses problems faced by children growing up in an alcoholic family. Reviews four survivor roles of children of alcoholics (COAs): super-coper, scapegoat, lost child, and family mascot. Describes alcoholism as a disease of denial. Reviews the Children of Alcoholics movement begun by adult COAs to become advocates for COAs. (NB)

Describes how parental functions essential to children's growth and development are damaged or destroyed by alcoholism and examines interpersonal problems of latency age children of alcoholic parents. Also describes therapist's problems in working with such children and offers recommendations for helping them work through faulty relationship…

Examined maternal ratings of family functioning and children's depression, anxiety, and problem behaviors among 53 families. Women (n=26) with alcohol-dependent partners reported significantly more marital and family disruption and higher levels of child problem behaviors. Both fathers' alcohol dependence and family risk factor index accounted for…

Provides overview of the family environment of children of alcoholics and looks at problems of children of alcoholics, including school and behavior problems, emotional difficulties, and physical problems. Considers the role of the school counselor in helping children of alcoholics by assisting school personnel and implementing developmental…

This document is intended to be used by school personnel when helping students with home problems. Section 1 suggests four ways school personnel may help students with alcoholic parents: listen and communicate; be aware of one's own limitations and do not attempt to change the student's home environment; foster primary relationships; and remain…

Children of alcoholics/addicts (COAs) are at a greater risk to develop alcohol and drug dependency, eating disorders, attention deficit disorders, stress-related illness, and suicidal behavior. Children become part of a conspiracy of silence by being told not to talk about the drug problem. The family members assume different roles which…

Despite the research documenting the occurrence of alcoholism in families, little is known about how alcoholism is transmitted from one generation to the next or what causes several members of the same family to abuse alcohol. To date, the most consistent findings among school-aged children are reports of cognitive differences. Health problems,…

This paper describes Laurelhurst Manor's family treatment program to help families affected by chemical dependency, a 7-month program which treats family members from the perspective of developmental stages and family roles. The center, located in Portland, Oregon, is a 40-bed, free-standing facility having a 20-bed adolescent unit and a 20-bed…

Most treatment programs for alcoholics and their families fail to show a systematic understanding of the interaction between the alcoholic, his drinking problem, and the family as a whole. Based on a review of the literature, the author presents a systems approach and ways of utilizing it in practice. (Author)

Treatment agencies that ignore needs of children of alcoholics are inadvertently breeding a second generation of alcoholics. This paper reports on an effort to mount an education/prevention effort with children of alcoholics and their mothers. Each session is described in detail and recommendations for programming offered. (Author)

Life in the alcoholic family is characterized by inconsistency, unpredictability, distrust, denial, and lack of affection, attention, and interest by the parents. Children who are raised in such an environment experience a loss of self-esteem and suffer long- and short-term negative consequences. The role of the counselor and counseling strategies…

Analyzes usage of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs during two recent television seasons. Alcohol predominated, accounting for more than two-thirds of all coded substance acts. More than two acts of alcohol use were found per hour in each season. The middle class and comic characters did the heavier drinking. (Author/BEF)

The study explores the role of race and differences in coping among 290 white women and black women with and without alcoholic parents, addressing two questions: (1) Does coping vary by parental alcoholism or race? and (2) How is coping in adulthood affected by childhood stressors and resources and by adulthood resources? Standardized…

The purposes of this study were to identify factors that would ameliorate the risk for substance abuse problems among children of alcoholics (COA), and to explore mechanisms of protection, particularly the Stress-Buffering model. Protective factors for children of alcoholics were examined in a controlled study (N=386). Three possible models are…

This document is intended to be used by therapists who are working with children of alcoholics and are concerned with issues of self-worth and trust. Section 1 asserts that in order to help clients who have an alcoholic parent overcome personal inadequacies, three critical areas may need to be considered: conditions for effecting positive…