Juvenile Children Of Alcoholics ( Acoas ) - 1594 Words

Review of Existing Literature Alcoholism has plagued individuals throughout history, and continues to be a strong underlying theme embedded into the lives of patients in counseling and treatment. For nearly a century, there have been treatment and recovery programs which focus on alcoholics themselves. But what about the family members who suffer the effects of living with someone who is an alcoholic? Often, children spend their entire youth and young adulthood dealing with the repercussions of having a parent who is under the influence. The research pertaining to adult children of alcoholics (ACoAs) is relatively new; the concept was recently coined in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was only then that researchers began to investigate the devastating and long-term effects parental alcoholism has on the rest of the family. Some researchers suggest that all ACoAs need treatment to some degree (Cooper, 1992). This paper will examine the existing literature in an effort to better understand the struggles of ACoAs in modern society. There are many factors contributing to the hardships ACoAs may face throughout their lifetime. Much of the literature proves that being born into a family with one or two alcoholic parents is an immediate disadvantage. As the population of ACoAs continue to grow, it is incredibly important for counselors to understand what it means for the patient to be an ACoA in order to recommend the best treatment and recovery options. In order to do thisShow MoreRelatedDysfunctional Family2939 Words   |  12 Pagesabuse, or other addictions of parents, parents untreated mental illnesses/defects or personality disorders, or the parents emulating their own dysfunctional parents and dysfunctional family experiences. Types of Dysfunctional Families 1. The Alcoholic or Chemically Dependent Family System 2. The Emotionally or Psychologically Disturbed Family System 3. The Physically or Sexually Abusing Family System 4. The Religious Fundamentalist or Rigidly Dogmatic Family System [References] Kizziar