Exploring experiences of Adult children of perceived problem drinkers in a low-income community in the Western Cape.

Abstract

Alcohol abuse results in a significant health, social and economic burden on society at large. Problem drinking is not only harmful to the user, but also to others in close proximity to the user. Families, and particularly the children of problem drinkers, are significantly affected. Historically, the legacy of the dop (tot) system had led to widespread alcohol abuse in South Africa, with the Western Cape ranking the highest for risky drinking of the country's nine provinces. While international literature has explored the experiences of adult children of problem drinkers, little was known about these experiences in the South African context.