This behavior is a coping mechanism continually used to avoid painful emotions. Fear in general is a result of other emotions associated with viewing alcohol abuse. These emotions may include anger, hurt, loneliness, distrust, sadness, and resentment. Other common feelings exhibited by ACOA s are shame and guilt, two coping strategies used to deal with the disease. For example, alcoholic families tend to convey to children that they should not discuss the disease, especially outside the family.
Silence is encouraged, thus leading to feelings of shame and guilt.
Most ACOA s have at least one dominant mental characteristic. Extreme thinking is easily noticed in the adult child who is either highly responsible or extremely irresponsible. ACOA s may display obsessive thinking about one person, one job, etc. A high incidence of learning disabilities exists within the ACOA population as well. ACOA s typically display physical signs which are readily observed.