Sue is the adult child of alcoholic parents. She is in a relationship with an abusive partner that drinks and uses drugs. He is often unemployed and invites his friends over to socialize.  Sue is always taking care of the partner and sometimes ignores her 2 children. She believes her partner heeds attention because when he is unemployed he is under a lot of stress. Sue always puts the partners needs above the needs for herself and her children.

Sue had a 7 yo son and a 9 yo daughter. The 7 yo has started drinking alcohol left in glasses and bottles after the partner’s friends go home. The 9 yo is aware of the drinking but has not told her mother. A teacher did call Sue because she thought she smelled alcohol on the 7 yo one day in school.  Sue felt that the teacher was making a mistake and became upset. The 9 yo supported the teacher but Sue did not listen.

Is Sue in a codependent relationship with her partner?  Does Sue exhibit the symptoms of the adult child of an alcoholic?

300 words