It is very bad luck for a child to be born into an alcoholic family that has one alcoholic parent. However, it is truly the worst luck to have two alcoholic parents. As a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction, this is not an uncommon scenario. Not only are their children at twice the genetic risk of developing an alcohol problem, the chance of both alcoholic parents remaining clean and sober is not very high. Here is a case from my psychiatric practice: M.F. and S.V. met in college. At that time, every one around them was drinking and using drugs so that their drug and alcohol use did not stand out. However, they are both thirty years old now and have a son in 8th grade and a daughter in 4th grade. M.F. and his wife S.V. have continued drinking excessively with no significant periods of sobriety (except S.V. during her pregnancies). M.F. is a successful entrepreneur and his wife is a stay at home mom. They go out with friends almost every night and basically use and abuse alcohol. M.F. decided to get a psychiatric evaluation because he feels depressed and anxious over his financial difficulties. His formerly successful business took a downturn during the tough economic times of the last several years

Original Source of Alcoholic Spouse What Happens When Only One Spouse Decides to Quit Drinking Alcohol?