Growing up with parents who have alcohol problems can increase the risk of difficult and immediate childhood experiences that are directly linked to alcohol use—such as being exposed to violence or other forms of maltreatment (Haugland et al, 2025; Laslett et al., 2020).
Hidden harms
However, adverse childhood experiences can also lead to more subtle limitations in life opportunities that, over time, leave lasting marks well into adulthood (Bynner, 2006). Bäckman and Nilsson examined the associations between risk factors in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and social exclusion. One of their findings was that children’s life chances vary significantly, and that social problems in the family and/or resource deficiencies increase the likelihood of social exclusion later in life. These long-term effects were not direct but were shaped by adolescent and adult experiences “along the way”.
Children of parents with alcohol problems may face challenges that build up over time, eventually leading to weaker social connections in adulthood. From the research literature on parental alcohol problems, we know of many factors that can potentially limit children’s and adolescents’ opportunities to form social bonds and participate in social life outside the home. These include taking on care giving roles such as housekeeping, caring for younger siblings or parents, financial difficulties, an unpredictable and chaotic home environment that makes it hard to invite friends over, stigma, housing mobility, and more (Kelley et al.,2007;Tedgård et al., 2019, Orford et al., 2010, Tamutiené and Jogaité, 2019; Schomerus et al., 2010; and Dong et al., 2005).
If there’s no one to turn to
Another example of resource deficiency among children growing up with parental alcohol use is limited access to adult support. These children are more likely to lack a trusted adult they can turn to when facing difficulties or have a problem to solve. This means they are often left to cope with various life challenges on their own. In this recent study (Haugland et al., 2025) we were curious about whether access to a trusted adult during childhood could make a difference when it comes to social connections in adulthood among those who grew up with parental alcohol problems. Based on answers from 23,714 adults who participated in the 2019 Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey we found that, compared to individuals who grew up without parental alcohol problems and had access to adult support, those who experienced parental alcohol problems—but still had access to a trusted adult—were more likely to have poor social connections in adulthood. However, the risk was even greater for those who also lacked access to a trusted adult, especially in terms of feeling isolated or excluded later in life.
Adult support should be available for all kids
This study did not specifically describe what the trusted adults contributed with. However, if we combine our finding with previous research, we might suggest that practitioners, policy makers, and scientists should focus not only on the adversities in children’s lives but look for possibilities to facilitate social support that is not only on an emotional level, but also in a practical everyday life level. Further – as aunts, teachers, neighbours, and football-coaches – we all have real possibilities to make the lives of children who grow up with parental alcohol problems a little bit better, and sometimes the smallest things can have an impact that lasts.
Written by Professor Siri Håvås Haugland, Head of Department, Department of Psychosocial Health, University of Agder, Norway.
All IAS Blogposts are published with the permission of the author. The views expressed are solely the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Alcohol Studies.