Children of alcoholics

We know that children of alcoholics are four times as likely to develop substance abuse problems than other children, and they’re at risk for depression, anxiety disorders, parental abuse, and neglect. But dealing with the issue early in life could make things vastly better.

Dr. Dan Gottlieb and his guests Carolyn Hannan Bell, Kimberly Kirby, and Tammy Granger discuss ways to help children understand alcoholism in the family and what it means for them growing up.

Carolyn Hannan Bell is a psychotherapist in South Jersey. She’s written Daddy’s Disease: Helping Children Understand Alcoholism (2013) to teach children their parents’ alcohol abuse is not their fault.

Kimberly Kirby is a senior scientist and the director of the Treatment Research Institute’s Parents Translational Research Center.

Tammy Granger is Corporate Director of Student Assistance Programs with Caron Treatment Centers. She has a background in social work.