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How do I prevent my son from becoming the next one to develop these problems?

I am the father of a 7 year old boy whose mother is an alcoholic but denies she has a problem.

Her father and brother all have dependency problem. It is a problem that goes back generations on her side of the family.

I was never more than a casual drinker but have now stopped completely for the past year.

Comments for How do I prevent my son from becoming the next one to develop these problems?

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Talk to him

by: Ned Wicker

The old saying goes, “There’s no time like the present.”

Preventative measures are always good. I would encourage you to have an open and honest discussion, an on-going dialog, with your child about drugs and alcohol.

They are all over the schools, so don’t assume that a first or second grader hasn’t heard about this.

From your post, I get the idea that you and his mother are not together, so if she has custody she will undoubtedly have a major influence on him if she continues without treatment.

She has a disease, so it’s not because she’s a bad person. Don’t use your son to get at her.

What you can do is explain to him that his mommy has a disease, that it is not his fault, and that alcohol makes her very sick.

Love your son and understand that he needs his mother too. Reach out to her and try to help her get into treatment and recovery.

Call Al-Anon and get some help from them. Talk to other fathers and get support and advice.

You know your son, so have the discussion with him, at his level.

Let him talk too, and listen to what he tells you.

I can see your concern. Stay focused on your son’s needs and again, get some support for yourself.

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