Alcoholism is considered as a family disease wherein a person consuming alcohol can completely upset a household and create damaging consequences which can be a lifelong problem. (Alcoholism and Its Effect on the Family) In excess of 28 million Americans are children of alcoholics and about 11 million are below 18 years of age. (Children of Addicted Parents: Important Facts) Children of Alcoholics –COA"s are four times more susceptible to develop alcoholism compared to non-COAs. Genetic causes contribute a significant part in the development of alcoholism. The perceptions of children with regard to the parental drinking amount and situations seem to impact their own drinking rate. The alcohol expectancies among children echo recognition of alcohol-linked norms and a cognizance of drinking model of parents from very initial ages. Alcohol consumption by the parents put an influence upon children"s early learning regarding alcohol and other drugs. (Children of Alcoholics: Important Facts) The parents of children consuming alcohol frequently show incompetence to give supervision and orderliness within their family life, but at the same time look forward to their children to be proficient at a broad range of tasks much ahead compared to non-alcoholic parents. (Children of Addicted Parents: Important Facts).

             Family communication norms might impact the COA"s threat for alcohol abuse. It has been revealed that families where there are alcoholic parents exhibited increased pessimistic family exchanges during problem-solving deliberations compared to non-alcoholic families. About a third of any census of alcoholics has at least one parent who in the past was alcohol dependent or is an alcoholic presently. (Children of Alcoholics: Important Facts) Children of alcohol consuming parents may perceive themselves as the cause behind the problems of the alcoholic and start believing that they started the problem.