Clinical and psychological characteristics of adult children of alcohol addicts

The paper presents literature data on clinical and psychological characteristics of adult children raised by parents suffering from alcohol dependence. It is shown that taking into account the current level of alcoholization of the population, the number of "adult children of alcoholics" (ACA) in Russia may reach 25 to 50%, but only every fifth of them during the examination does not detect any psychopathological symptoms. The author pays attention that it is significant in the number group on the problems which traditionally receives little attention. The majority of these persons the risk of developing alcoholism is significantly higher relative to the General population. While chemical dependency in children of alcoholic families, it is growing faster and is more severe. Taking into account the expressed social disadaptation of ACA and pleiotropism associated conditions, the author points to the need for an integrated approach in the prevention of mental disorders in this group of patients.