Children of Alcoholics Are Four Times More at Risk for Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse

ALBANY, NY (02/12/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today said New Yorkers should be aware that children of alcoholics are four times more at risk for alcoholism and other drug abuse than children of non-alcoholics.

"Statistics show the dangers of alcohol abuse don't just end with the individuals themselves, unfortunately the children are also more at risk to fall victim to alcohol or drug abuse - continuing the cycle of addiction," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo marking Feb. 8 through 14 as National Children of Alcoholics Week.

OASAS data indicates that 32 percent of those admitted to non-crisis treatment programs were children of an alcoholic or substance abuser. In addition, at the state operated Addiction Treatment Centers (ATCs), 49 percent of those served were children of an alcoholic or substance abuser.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "Children living with addiction in the family need to get help early on to prevent alcoholism or drug abuse from developing. I can speak personally to this as I am a child of an alcoholic and one of my primary goals as Commissioner is to have prevention programs use evidence-based practices we know to be successful in ending the onset of addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease and individuals need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help calling the toll-free, 24-hour 7 days a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY."

Many factors increase the risk of a child developing an alcohol addiction, such as genetics, a child's perceptions of parental drinking, family interaction, and stress. These can then lead to other serious problems such as difficulty in school, social interaction, marital relationships, poor communication and problem-solving abilities, behavioral problems and physical abuse.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction service systems, with more than 1,550 prevention and treatment programs available to those in need. Of these programs, 19 provide treatment to youth only under age 21 and more than 350 adult programs provide children's programming.

National Children of Alcoholics Week is an annual observance that recognizes the damaging effects of alcoholism on children, sponsored by the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. The 2009 campaign theme is "A Celebration of Hope and Healing."

OASAS also is asking that those people in recovery from alcoholism, drugs or problem gambling share their story of recovery on IAMRECOVERY.COM. The stories submissions do not require any identification in the submission, other than a first name and last initial, in order to respect those who wish to remain anonymous.

The stories campaign's goal is to support a growing movement of recovery advocates in New York, one that sheds stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness for the untold numbers of individuals in recovery. For more information about OASAS or addiction, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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