Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC) were introduced to England in 2008 following their development in the USA. Pilots launched across the country adopted a family-based strategy with the aim to improve outcomes for children that live with parents who misuse substances or alcohol. The numbers of children entering the care system has increased…

The Socialization of Emotion (Eisenberg, Cumberland, & Spinrad, 1998; Eisenberg, Spinrad, & Cumberland, 1998) model creates a theoretical framework for understanding parents' direct and indirect influences on children's emotional development, including the influence of parent characteristics on subsequent emotion specific parenting. Large…

Resources on the topic of children of alcoholics are presented in this document. The first section presents facts and figures for children of alcoholics which range from noting that there is strong, scientific evidence that alcoholism runs in families, to the fact that children of alcoholics have greater difficulty with abstraction and conceptual…

Using data from the 1995 Gallup Poll and a 1988 ABC News poll, examines the relationships between problematic drinking in the home and youth suicide rates. The hypothesis that chronic stress, as measured by problem drinking in the home, is related to youth suicide was supported. (MKA)

Family patterns of dysfunction that often reinforce maladaptive behaviors and cognitions of children growing up in an alcoholic home environment are often difficult to overcome. Adjustment issues associated with being an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA) are presented along with factors that have been identified as being important in developing…

This synopsis of the outcome literature on marital and family treatment (MFT) drew three conclusions. First, intervening at the marital/family level with nonalcoholic family members can motivate an initial commitment to change in the alcoholic who is unwilling to seek help. Second, MFT alone, or with individual alcoholism treatment, produces…

After personal involvement as a group leader with alcoholics under treatment and their families, the author stresses the need for this type of counseling to educate family on alcoholism and to help dispel their prejudices. (Author/CJ)

Compared 10 compulsive eaters and their spouses with 10 compulsive drinkers and their spouses. Interview data revealed pattern suggesting that couples were often unable to process feelings and resolve conflicts. For subject, couple relationship seemed to affect and perpetuate compulsive behavior. Results point to need to redefine construct of…

A questionnaire on family intactness, parental and sibling relationships, and personal physical/sexual abuse histories was completed by 178 adults in treatment for drug/alcohol addiction. Results revealed that 84 percent of the sample reported a history of child abuse/neglect. (Author/CL)

Evaluated Stress Management and Alcohol Awareness Program (SMAAP) for children from alcoholic families, in which 79 children of alcoholics between the ages of 9 and 13 participated in 8-week school-based curriculum on alcoholism, self-esteem enhancement strategies, and coping strategies. Found greater positive coping strategies, decreased…

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…

Alcohol abuse results in a variety of problems including employment difficulties and family problems. This study integrates a family systems model of alcoholism with a family crisis model for recovery to study spouses of alcoholics and their perceptions of family stress, coping styles, and quality of marriage. Participants (N=60) were husbands or…