I think a lot of parents act in codependent ways and rationalise it "because I'm his parent." i think a lot of parents who get dragged through the mud with alcoholics and addicts feel guilt and shame that they CAUSED this to happen. When they didn't cause it. They can't control it. And they can't cure it. I believe there comes a point in time when a "child" has become a teenager where the parent has to accept that the "child" has his own ability and responsibility to make his own decisions for his life. "Let go or be dragged" applies to everyone. There is no special exemption for parents.