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Adult Children of Alcoholics: The Most Common Emotional Ramifications
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Alcoholism in a family setting has a lasting influence on children. Since these effects may not be realized until later in life, it can be difficult for many adult children to cope with their emotions. Working with a psychologist in Huntington like Dr. Joel Kuppersmith, can help you to manage the lasting impacts that an alcoholic parent may have left.
Common Emotional Struggles
If you are an adult who was surrounded by one or more alcoholic family members, it is likely that it has had a profound impact on your life. The way you managed to cope with the relationship patterns or feelings towards your alcoholic parent can affect your interactions today; whether it be your work, parenting, or romantic relationships. A psychologist in Huntington like Dr. Joel Kuppersmith has worked closely with patients who deal with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger, relationship issues, and stress resulting from having alcoholic parents as a child.
The effects of growing up with alcoholism vary depending on the circumstances. Some individuals may be able to harness their pain into positive actions such as limiting or eliminating the casual use of addictive substances and giving back to the community while others may cope by turning to the addictive substances themselves. Whether the ramifications are apparent or not, individuals in both groups may still need to cope with painful emotions.
Some common emotional struggles include:
- Difficulty trusting others and being closed off. Because the parent has likely let down the child due to prioritization of the addictive substance, it is common for an adult child to close themselves off as a form of self-protection.
- Anxiety. Adult children of alcoholic parents may have high levels of anxiety due to the unpredictable nature of living with an alcoholic for prolonged periods of time. Because of this, being on edge or tense in situations that do not call for those emotions may be common.
- Feeling of shame and loneliness. The feeling of not being wanted and unworthy of love may be the result of growing up with alcoholic parents. Scenarios may have arisen where a child was embarrassed by the parent’s behavior with few outlets to discuss these feelings. The isolation stemming from this can lead to difficulty expressing emotions and the achievement of self-love.
How A Psychologist in Huntington Can Help
If you identify with some of these emotional struggles, you may have developed these traits and coping strategies due to your childhood circumstances. Realizing that you are not alone and expressing these struggles can promote the healing process. Dr. Joel Kuppersmith offers treatment of adult children of alcoholics which will provide you with a support system to give you the courage necessary and the strength to reduce the fear and shame you may be carrying. For more information about our treatment for adult children of alcoholics contact us today!
