Relationship Between Alcohol and Child Abuse

Alcohol use by a parent or caregiver is a risk factor for child abuse. Additionally, "the experience of being abused as a child may increase a person's risk for alcohol-related problems as an adult," as published in "The Journal of Alcohol and Child Abuse" in 2001. The children of alcoholics have to worry not only about child abuse, but also about their own personal risk for alcoholism. There are large networks of support groups for Adult Children of Alcoholics, which view parental alcoholism as child abuse and offer emotional support for dealing with the aftermath of parental alcoholism.

Alcoholism

• Not only is alcohol a traditional part of many family holidays and get-togethers, but it is a huge industry with powerful special interest groups. Alcoholism is an epidemic in America. "Researchers have identified several types of alcoholism, one of which is characterized by high levels of antisocial behavior that frequently begins manifesting during adolescence. Children whose parents have this type of alcoholism may be particularly likely to be abused during childhood," according to the World Health Organization. However, child neglect is also a consequence of parental alcohol abuse.

Genetic Link

• Paternal rates of reported substance abuse were significantly higher than maternal rates, as reported in 2003 in the journal "Child Abuse & Neglect." However, if the pregnant mother abuses alcohol, then serious permanent developmental damage can occur to the unborn child. Research has documented that an "intergenerational transmission" of a genetic predisposition to alcoholism is considered a major factor in the cause of alcoholism. The World Health Organization (WHO) states, "children are at increased risk for antisocial behavior and subsequent alcohol problems themselves, both because of a genetic predisposition and because of the experience of child abuse."

Environmental Link

• WHO also warns that in households with alcoholics or substance abusers, the children learn dysfunctional behavior as well as a chemically dependent lifestyle.Children with unsupervised access to alcohol may drink regularly, damaging their health physically and mentally. Children are especially vulnerable because their brain development is not complete.

Child Abuse

• Risk factors for child abuse include having parents that are single, young, poor, unemployed, isolated and with a past history of domestic violence, according to researchers. Alcohol abuse by a mother was related to a higher risk of sexual abuse in her children, by men who took advantage of her lack of attention.

Prevention/Solution

• Child abuse and substance abuse go hand-in-hand. When parents are not sober they cannot parent effectively. Substance abuse support groups and clinical treatment should have a positive impact on lowering rates of child abuse. More research and funding is needed in this area to prevent more children from suffering and then repeating the cycle themselves as adults.