In ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT / Tags: alcoholic, assume, behavior, children, cope, environment., living, roles, some /
Question by ♥Bahama mamma♥: what are some behavior roles children assume to cope with living in an alcoholic environment?
Best answer:
Answer by Nonfoo
I know that I was the “fixer”. I always made sure that my family was okay, that my mom was happy. I took care of her more than she took care of me sometimes. My dad was the alcoholic. I’ve had several therapists tell me I raised my mom more than she raised me. My older brother was the achiever. Wanted his parents to be proud of him no matter what. My younger brother always got into fights, maybe to take away some of the pressure that was going on at the home.
Codependency No More by Melody Beattie is a great book that explains the different roles.
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With older children role-reversal would be quite common, with the child looking after the parent, and any younger siblings that needed care.
This is your second Q: dealing with this. If this is for you I suggest contacting a help group called “Alanon”.
Try here for some info:
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/families/coping_alcoholic
Hope that answers all your questions about children in alcoholic homes.