by Lisa Frederiksen
One-fourth of America’s children live in a home with alcohol abuse or alcoholism (an addiction to alcohol) before the age of 18. To really understand what this means, please browse through this site, Shouting Inside: Whispers in the Roar. It hosts a number of blogs written by sons 
and daughters who deal everyday with a parent’s problem with alcohol or drugs.
And, then, do what you can to honor Children of Alcoholics Week, February 8 – 14. Why should you do something to support this important week? Quoting the Important Facts from the Lost Childhood, Growing Up In An Alcohollic Family, documentary for public television:
- One in four children in America under the age of 18 is growing up with alcohol abuse or alcoholism in the family.
- Children of alcoholics (COAs) are four times more likely than non-COAs to become alcoholics.
- Alcohol is the third leading lifestyle-related contributor to death in the U.S. after tobacco and diet/activity patterns.
- Alcohol-related traffic crashes make up the fifth leading cause of death for Americans of all ages.
- Research suggests alcoholism is more strongly related to child abuse than other disorders, such as parental depression.
- Alcohol and/or drugs are very likely involved in at least 81% of reported cases of child abuse in this country, according to state welfare records.
- Children of alcoholics are more likely than non-COAs to develop disruptive behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and poorer school performance.
- Children of alcoholics experience greater physical and mental health problems and higher health care costs (32% higher) than children from non-alcoholic families.
- Only one in 20 children of alcoholics gets any help. Yet, there is growing evidence that with help, these children can learn to thrive, become resilient, and change their lives.
Sources:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
National Institutes of Health
Journal of the American Medical Association
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Talk About It… share this post with everyone you know – post it on your Facebook page, pass it along
2. Click here to find suggestions on raising awareness about this important week from the National Association for Children of Alcoholics
3. Read through the Children of Alcoholics (COA) blogs: Shouting Inside: Whispers in the Roar
