The Facts

Q: What is alcoholism?

A: Alcoholism is a disease. Your parent is not a bad person; he or she has a disease that makes him or her lose control when drinking. Alcoholism does that; when you drink too much, you do and say things that you normally wouldn't. Sometimes people do mean or stupid things that perhaps they would not do if they didn't drink.

Q: How does alcoholism start?

A: Doctors don't know all the reasons why people become alcoholics. Some start out drinking a little bit or using drugs and end up hooked on alcohol or other drugs. A person might drink to forget problems or to calm nerves but then end up needing alcohol to feel normal. Once a person loses control over drinking, he or she needs help to stop drinking.

Q: If the alcoholic is sick why doesn't he or she just go to the hospital?

A: At first, the alcoholic is not aware that he or she is ill. Even when the alcoholic becomes aware that something is wrong, he or she may not believe that alcohol is the problem. An alcoholic might keep blaming things on other people, on his or her job, or whatever. But, really, it's the alcohol that's the biggest problem.

Q: Is there an "average" alcoholic?

A: No. There is no such person as the average alcoholic. Alcoholics can be young, old, rich, poor, male, or female. People with alcoholism come from all races and ethnic populations.

Q: What is the cure for alcoholism?

A: There is no cure for alcoholism. People with alcoholism who have completely stopped drinking are called "recovering alcoholics." Recovering alcoholics can lead healthy, happy, productive lives.

Q: Can family members make an alcoholic stop drinking?

A: No. It is important to know that an alcoholic needs help to stop drinking, but no one can be forced to accept the help, no matter how hard you try or what you do. It is also important to know that family members by themselves cannot provide the help that an alcoholic needs. An alcoholic needs the help of people trained to treat the disease. You cannot control your parent's drinking. It is not your fault. Even if you hide the bottle or try to be perfect, you can't do anything about your parent's drinking. You are not the reason why your parent drinks. You did not cause the disease.

Q: How many children in the United States have at least one alcoholic parent?

A: About one in four children in our country are growing up with at least one parent who has alcoholism or is an alcohol abuser. There are probably a few kids with an alcoholic parent in your class right now. And remember, many adults grew up with alcoholic parents, too.