Adult Children of Alcoholics Hot Health Topics Library Adult Children of Alcoholics Alcoholism and the Family Alcoholism affects the entire family. It is an unpredictable, progressive disease often characterized by broken promises, lies, silence and hidden feelings. Other members must take over the alcoholic's responsibilities.
Incest is twice as likely among daughters and sons of alcoholics and their peers.
They are strong individuals who, as children, coped with a home filled by chaos, trauma, confusion, embarrassment and pain. ACOAs carry the scars of growing up in this environment. These may include abusive patterns with alcohol, drugs, food, sex, work, gambling or spending. ACOAs are 3-4 times more likely to become alcoholics than the general population. The Family Families develop many strategies to deal with alcoholism and the guilt, hopelessness, or anxiety that it can cause.