12 Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families

Last week, we looked at 11 rules commonly found in families where any variety of dysfunction exists, including Adult Children of Alcoholics. Those rules are often formed before a child is aware that they exist. They remain unconscious and powerful directives in our lives well into adulthood.

This week, we want to talk about 12 ways these rules manifest in our adult behaviors.

ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS TEND TO:

1. Guess at what is normal. Growing up in a family where there is addiction or abuse, life is not functional. Normal life skills are not practiced or taught.

2. Have difficulty following through on a project. As adults, these people often lack the internal boundaries that keep you focused and committed to finish a project when it is no longer interesting.