Growing up with an alcoholic parent can be traumatizing. Many children do not get over the feelings of shame and guilt they feel as a result of having an alcoholic dad or mom. As difficult as it may seem, you must realize you are not responsible for a parent’s alcoholism. Most children do not know when alcohol addiction starts, so it is difficult to prevent it. If you’ve discovered that your parents consume more alcohol than usual, the time may be right to talk to them. Remember drinking one glass of alcohol at a time is harmless but when a parent desires more, an alcohol addiction treatment program becomes needed.
At Atlanta Detox Center, we prioritize the needs of our clients. Our residential addiction treatment program is one of our many services. Contact us online or call us at 470-450-2355 to learn more.
Little girl with toy standing in front of her drunk father.
Common Signs of an Alcoholic Parent
Symptoms of alcoholism vary from person to person. However, common signs of an alcoholic parent include:
- Increased consumption of alcohol
- Frequent hangovers
- Neglect of responsibilities
- Isolation from family and friends
- Excuses for a drinking problem
- Mood swings
Tips for Talking to Your Parent About Their Alcohol Addiction
Talking to a parent about alcoholism is not easy. First, you must understand that you are not responsible for your parent’s habits and you cannot make them change their ways. The conversation may not be easy, but some tips to help make the process smoother include:
- Do not approach them in a confrontational manner, as this can lead to them denying the problem.
- Be empathetic towards their perspective. When they see you are supportive, it will prompt them to be honest with you.
- Ensure you do not use condemning language. This might make them recoil from you.
- Only approach them when they haven’t been drinking. There is a possibility the event might turn violent if you try to talk to them when they are intoxicated.
- Let your words and actions show you care about them.
- Suggest an alcohol addiction treatment program, such as the one available at Atlanta Detox Center.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Talking to an alcoholic parent about their problem will produce two outcomes; either they are interested in getting help, or they’ll refuse. If they refuse, you can seek help from another family member. But if they are ready to get help, there are different treatment options open. Available recovery options include:
- Outpatient treatment – If your parent’s addiction is severe, this treatment won’t be effective for them. Outpatient treatment allows a patient to get treated from home so they can attend to their other responsibilities. A patient controls their schedule and activities under this treatment.
- Inpatient treatment – This mode of treatment requires your mom or dad to live at a rehab facility for a while. Depending on the level of the addiction, inpatient treatment enables an individual to get constant care, so their recovery chances increase.
- Support groups – There are groups available for people struggling with alcoholism. These groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are free, and their major requirement is that a person is ready to recover. You can check for groups close to your parent’s area of residence and encourage them to join.
Give Your Parent the Gift of Recovery at Atlanta Detox Center
It can be challenging to get an alcoholic parent to admit they have a problem. If you have an alcoholic mom or an alcoholic dad ready to start the recovery process, you can get the right amount of care and support at Atlanta Detox Center. We offer residential addiction treatment programs, individual therapy, group therapy, and many more. You can contact us online or at 470-450-2355 to learn more about our services.
