| If you are reading this, then chances are you are | | | | addiction cycle that your mom or dad is in. |
| somehow connected to alcoholism. Either you, your | | | | Have a Support System - It is absolutely vital that you |
| family, or someone you care about drinks to much, and | | | | have an adult that you can rely on and trust in your life. |
| can not seem to help themselves. For those of you | | | | Being a kid is tough enough without an alcoholic parent. |
| that are dealing with this problem in a parent, you are | | | | When you add in the stress of that, you can easily |
| particularly torn. You do not want to be the person that | | | | reach a critical overload of emotions. Your pastor, your |
| turns them in, and you do not want to live with their | | | | uncle, your aunt, your teacher, your counselor, your |
| alcoholic ways any longer either. It is a double edged | | | | coach at school, or anyone else that is older that you |
| sword. Fortunately, there are some solutions to your | | | | trust should be made aware of your situation. You are |
| problem. Here are some helpful tips on how to deal | | | | not turning your back on your parents in doing this. You |
| with an alcoholic parent: | | | | are actually doing something your parents would want |
| Recognize The Problem For What It Is - The hardest | | | | if they were clearly thinking. |
| part of being a child of an alcoholic is getting over the | | | | Ultimately, someone with an alcohol problem has to |
| shame. You surely have dealt with this on some level, | | | | face the music. Make sure that you have this person |
| and it may even be a secret within your home. That | | | | available to you in an emergency, and that they are |
| said, you need to understand that alcoholism is a | | | | willing to support you if possible. If you have nobody, |
| disease. It is not much different than cancer, or any | | | | then you should contact your domestic hot line at (800) |
| other disease. The biggest difference is that it is a | | | | 799 - SAFE. This is a great resource to get you the |
| disease that affects the mind and the decisions that a | | | | help you need. |
| person makes. It does not mean that your mom or | | | | Your safety is the most important thing, and making |
| dad is bad, or that they are somehow rotten. It means | | | | sure that you have a safe place to go in an |
| they are sick. It is not your fault, nor is it your burden to | | | | emergency is not a bad thing. It does not mean that |
| carry. This is the first step to dealing with a parent who | | | | you love your parents any less, or that you are turning |
| is an alcoholic. Realize that they have a problem, and | | | | your back on them. This is a problem that only they |
| that you can not fix it. They must take that step | | | | can solve, and sometimes it takes help they are not at |
| themselves. | | | | first willing to accept. Always be willing to call 911 in an |
| Make Yourself Better First - Before you can do | | | | emergency situation, and never hesitate if you feel that |
| anything at all for your parent, you must realize that | | | | you are in danger. |
| you are at risk. Not only are you at risk to their | | | | With time, your parent may end up getting the help that |
| alcoholic behavior, but you are at risk of going down | | | | they need. Always keep your own mind and |
| the same road. It is common knowledge that | | | | conscious clear, as you are not at fault. Nothing that |
| alcoholism runs in the family sometimes. You must | | | | you do or do not do can make them better. Only they |
| make a commitment that you will not continue the | | | | can do that. You can, however, make certain that they |
| chain. This is vital to your being able to get through the | | | | chain ends with you. |