Objectives:
The objective of this article is to examine the long-term psychosocial consequences of growing up in a dysfunctional family affected by alcohol addiction. The study focuses on the psychological functioning of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA), with particular attention to self-esteem, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. It aims to identify persistent difficulties and internalized beliefs that hinder the ability to form stable bonds and assume family roles in adulthood.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted using a diagnostic survey method with the application of an original electronic questionnaire. The research group consisted of 130 adults aged 20–40 who declared that they had been raised in families affected by alcohol addiction.

Results:
The analysis revealed that individuals raised in families with alcohol-related dysfunction frequently experience difficulties in emotional regulation, low self-esteem, and challenges in forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships. The data also indicate the presence of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as a tendency toward social withdrawal and excessive guilt. Many respondents described ongoing emotional distance and unresolved conflicts in their relationships with parents, persisting into adulthood.

Conclusions:
The study confirms that growing up in a family affected by alcohol addiction has long-term negative effects on emotional, relational, and identity development. Adult Children of Alcoholics often struggle with low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, social withdrawal, and difficulties in forming close relationships.