(Part three of a five-part series of articles on alcoholism).

  While it is true that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk for emotional problems, often these problems do not appear until they are adults.

  About 11 million American children have alcoholic parents, according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. These children are at greater risk for having emotional problems than children whose parents are not alcoholics. Alcoholism runs in families and children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. 

  A child in an alcoholic family may have a variety of problems:

• Guilt. Children may view themselves as the main cause of the mothers or fathers drinking.
• Anxiety. Children may worry constantly about the situation at home. They are afraid the alcoholic parent will become sick or injured, and may also fear fights and violence between the parents.
• Embarrassment. Parents may give the message that there is a terrible secret at home. The ashamed child does not invited friends home and is afraid to ask anyone for help.
• Inability to have close relationships. Because children have been disappointed by the drinking parent many times, they often do not trust others.
• Confusion. The alcoholic parent will change suddenly from being loving to angry, regardless of the childs behavior. A regular daily schedule, which is very important for a child, does not exist because bedtimes and mealtimes are constantly changing.
• Anger. The child feels anger at the alcoholic parent for drinking, and may be angry at the non-alcoholic parent for lack of support and protection.
• Depression. The child feels lonely and helpless to change the situation.

  If you think you are experiencing problems as a result of a family members drinking, please seek help. 

  To learn more about Al-Anon, visit its Web site at www.al-anon.org. For teenage family members, there is an organization called Alateen. Its Web site address is www.al-anon/alateen. Another good source is the National Association for Children of Alcoholics at www.nacoa.net.

  To reach Concern Employees Assistance Program, please call (901) 458-4000 or 1-800-445-5011 or e-mail CONCERN@bmhcc.org.