A Child's Battle With An AUD Parent

Alcohol is an inconstant substance for adults. On the one hand, it is used moderately for celebration and as a relaxant for stress.

On the other hand, drinking can get a little too consistent and out of control, ultimately leaving the adult with an Alcohol Use Disorder.

What if these adults are constantly intoxicated around their children? AUD parents can affect their child’s mental development, negatively.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can negatively impact the drinker long term, even making it easier to relapse. 

In the presence of their own children, however, can have a bigger effect. There are even some things that I, as the writer, have experienced having an AUD mother as well.

Experiencing the stress of an intoxicated parent is something difficult for a child up to possibly 10 years. Children are ultimately exposed to stressors such as chaos, uncertainty, disorganization, emotional and/or physical neglect, instability, arguments, marital problems, and much more.   In return, children are 4 times more likely to develop AUD.  

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Though that is not the only thing that affects children, it definitely leaves a permanent mark on a child's mind. Coming from an AUD mother, I still have the memory of her getting intoxicated and arrested right in front of me. I also have multiple other recalls from the time I was 4 to 11 years of age. If anything, it DOES leave a permanent mark on children's brains.

The stressors affect them deeply since they cannot grasp the situation until a later age. Besides their risk of developing the medical condition, children can develop things such as anxiety, depression,  antisocial behavior. 

Even though the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, the presence of alcohol can become a quick hook to help satisfy the children's adverse cognitive development as well as following a parent's example. 

The children are the future generations who can propose change and become better than their AUD parents. They see a lot, even though they may not know a lot. Children will try their best to understand but will break themselves down trying to. Would you drink around a child? If so, why?