Alcoholism is inherited and 99% of my patients come from alcoholic homes with either parent or sometimes, both parents, addicted to alcohol, drugs and prescription drugs.

As an adult child of an alcoholic who is also recovering, many alcoholics are not sure exactly where to start their recovery or where they belong. Alcoholics Anonymous is the best place to start if you have an alcohol addiction or Narcotics Anonymous if you have a drug addiction. Another group that I would suggest is Co-Dependency Anonymous as most of my patients have very low self esteem and depend on other people to boost up their ego. Adult Children of Alcoholics may also be valuable.

If your partner or sibling has alcohol problems, we suggest attending meetings of Al-Anon, specifically targeted to helping members of the family cope with a practicing or a recovering alcoholic. Another great resource for individuals struggling with an addiction is StartYourRecovery.org. StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too.

As an adult child of an alcoholic, you will probably need more. Many adult children find that Al-Anon meetings are an important supplement to AA involvement. At AA they hear stories that arouse anger and resentment: the father who beat his kids when he was drunk, the mother who neglected them.

At Al-Anon they meet the victims of such abuse, people they can readily identify with. These people sometimes become substitute family, and hearing and discussing each other’s histories often helps to dissipate the anger. ACOA (adult children of alcoholics) offer the opportunity to swap stories and compare feelings with others in the same psychologically leaky boat, and a chance to learn how they’re managed to remain afloat emotionally in spite of their stormy pasts.

Of course, sometimes the sign on the door may be less important than the make-up of the group. In some cases, a very nurturing AA group may provide all the support you need.

But if you have experienced abuse (sexual, physical, emotional) from your alcoholic parent, or if you are suffering from guilt. Deep-seated anger or disabling depression or anxiety, even a combination of AA, Al-Anon, ACOA and Co-Dependency Anonymous may not be enough.

Discussing these issues in a self-help group can be tricky and can sometimes backfire. Some mental health issues are better dealt with by a professional therapist.

How much are you drinking per day? A standard drink is: 30 ml (nip) of spirits or 285 ml regular beer or 425 ml of low alcohol beer or 100 ml glass of wine. These are all standard drinks.

If you are alcohol-dependent, you may decide to keep drinking even though your liver tells you it’s time to stop. Your liver knows you are heading for a disaster! If you are vulnerable to alcohol you will most certainly become addicted in the future if you aren’t already.

True physical addiction cannot be managed or controlled into social drinking. Since alcoholism is progressive, your drinking habits won’t improve; they won’t even stay the same. They will get worse.

Your physical need for alcohol will gradually speak so loud that willpower cannot overcome it. Willpower is soluble in alcohol! Do you suffer with liver disease attributable to your alcohol intake?

In the meantime, we suggest helping yourself cope with the rigours of living by supplementing your diet with an amino acid and a natural relaxant to help you sleep at night.

Magnesium can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep and helps to reduce stress.

Tyrosine Mood Food is necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood.

Blues Free is designed to support a better mood. Hydroxytryptophan is needed by the brain to make Serotonin which is the natural happy chemical produced by brain cells and has a controlling effect upon mood and feelings, appetite, sleep, confidence and mental energy.

Sleep Eze is another useful sleep enhancer and I use it myself. Melatonin is best taken at night when the pineal gland is meant to secrete its own melatonin to promote a natural restful sleep and awake refreshed in the morning without that “sleeping tablet hangover”. I like it because it is not addictive.

Everyday Stress Lozenges. These Everyday Stress Lozenges contain all natural passion flower petals to help you relax under pressure. A natural herb with relaxing and calming effects upon the nervous system, to help you perform under pressure without slowing you down.

Adrenal Plus Support If you support the function of your adrenal glands, you have more chance coping with the everyday pressures of life. Many people suffer with morning fatigue and depression due to sluggish function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that are situated just above the kidneys and when they are working efficiently, they produce extra surges of energizing hormones such as cortisol, adrenalin and DHEA to help you face the challenges of the new day. In other words, the adrenal gland hormones increase your resistance to stress and provide the drive and energy to succeed.

 

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.