ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Adult Children of Alcoholics

So, you know how some parents like to drink alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, or whiskey? Well, some parents drink so much that they become addicted to it and can't stop drinking even if it hurts them or their family. These types of parents are called alcoholics.

Adult children of alcoholics are people who grew up with parents who had this addiction to alcohol. Sometimes, these parents might have been yelling, abusive or neglectful because of the alcohol. This, in turn, could have caused the child to feel worried, scared, or sad.

Being the child of an alcoholic parent can sometimes make an adult child feel like they are different from other people. They may feel like they have to be perfect all the time and can't make mistakes. They might also feel like they can't trust other people or be open about their feelings.

These feelings can stay with an adult child of an alcoholic even when they grow up and become adults themselves. That's why it's important for them to get help if they need it. This might include therapy or support groups, where they can talk about their experiences and feelings with others who understand what they're going through.