It is known through existing literature that children of alcoholics are at an increased risk for various childhood stressors, such as abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence, or growing up with other forms of household dysfunction. This Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study’s objective was to assess the impact of numerous, inter-related adverse childhood experiences on a wide array of health behaviors and outcomes and on health care utilization. A questionnaire about ACEs, including child abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and exposure to parental alcohol abuse, was conducted and completed by 8,629 adult HMO members to assess the relationship of growing up with parental alcohol abuse. Study findings indicate that compared to no parental alcohol abuse, maternal, paternal, or bi-parental alcohol abuse significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing adverse childhood experiences. In addition, the extremely high likelihood of domestic violence directed at the mother in families where both parents are abusing alcohol makes assessment of the danger of violence against the mother imperative. The likelihood of enduring multiple ACEs was even greater among adults who reported that either or both parents abused alcohol. Overall, the children of parental alcohol abuse are far more likely to suffer multiple adverse experiences during childhood. References