Forgotten parents of alcohol dependent adults

Abstract

The article considerations result from an analysis of current scientific literature devoted to the issues of families with alcohol dependence. It was established that the problem of alcoholism in the family is usually analysed from two perspectives: the experiences of children and spouses or life partners. The research participants are rarely (if at all) adult siblings, distant relatives, family friends and last but not least the parents. Even if fathers and mothers form a significant part of the surveyed family members, the conclusions from the research are related to the general population of relatives of alcohol dependent persons. There are no separate studies that explain what is happening between parents and their alcohol dependent adult children. The question remains unanswered regarding their prevailing problems and needs, and also about the importance of parents in the adult child’s process of recovery and that of his family.

Keywords

• Family
• Adult child-parent relations
• Adult children problem behaviour
• Dependence
• Parents of dependent persons