The effects of alcohol abuse on children and the partner's capacity to initiate change

Abstract

This paper identifies the social, psychological and cognitive effects of parental alcohol abuse on children across the lifecycle. While the evidence regarding cognitive effects is mixed, there is ample evidence of negative effects on a range of developmental outcomes. Recent advances in unilateral partner interventions open up one avenue for ameliorating this damage even when the drinker is resistant to change. [Barber JG, Crisp BR. The effects of alcohol abuse on children and the partner's capacity to initiate change. Drug Alcohol Rev 1994;13:409–416] 1994 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs