Alcohol's Effects on School & Home Life

The Children of Alcoholics Foundation has reported that one in eight individuals in America are raised in a household with one or more alcoholics. Alcohol has various effects on home and school life as well as mental well-being. Individuals raised in households where alcoholism is present may find that their views on life are much different than their peers.

Disruptions

• With alcoholism present in a family, regular routines become unpredictable. Schedules are disrupted and making plans becomes nearly impossible; even daily activities such as eating dinner become inconsistent. Because of the inconsistencies in home life, members of the household may find themselves taking on more roles as the alcoholic is unable to fulfill them. Children in the household may find it difficult to focus in school since their mind is focused on what's happening at home.

Psychological Effects

• Individuals in a household with alcoholics may find themselves focused on the issue. For example, if the alcoholic is a parent, her spouse may constantly be trying to help her and neglect the children in the process. This could lead the children to experience feelings of inadequacy and even guilt. Being focused on the issue may also increase stress, which affects relationships with others. Children and teenagers may become withdrawn, aggressive or delinquent. While some children act out externally, some internalize their emotions.

Social Effects

• In a family with an alcoholic or a number of alcoholics, the problem is not typically discussed. Sometimes the family just wants to forget and more often, because everything is "normal" when the person is sober, the problem is left alone. When communication is open, if at all, it is typically related to alcohol. For example, conversations may revolve around whether or not the person is drinking or whether or not she will be sober to pick the children up after school. An individual under the influence of alcohol may also say or do things that he wouldn't in a sober state. This could lead to increased violence, both verbal and physical.

  Outside of the household, social interaction is minimal, superficial or nonexistent. Because embarrassment and shame are often experienced by family members, inviting others over is difficult. Sometimes a person in the household may even refuse invitations in fear of leaving the alcoholic at home, unable to care for himself in his drunken state.

Effects on School Life

• A student who drinks too much may stay out late and wake up exhausted with a hangover. As a result, he may have a number of absences and his school work may suffer. Younger children may find it difficult to get ready for school without clean clothes or a ride, as the parent is hungover or drunk. As a result, truancy, delinquency, poor school performance may be present. Underachievement, emotional distance from peers and withdrawal may be noticed.