Children of Alcohol & Drug Addicted Parents
Alcohol and drug abuse can destroy lives, ruin families and end careers. When addictions strike, it's not only the addict that suffers. It is estimated that substance abuse affects at least four other people beyond the abuser. Children of alcohol and drug addicts are often victims of their parents' abusive behaviors.
Children may be confused and unsure of how to get help. Just as there is help available for alcoholics and drug abusers, there are places to turn for children needing help with a parent who is suffering from substance addictions.
Other People Are Reading
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Significance
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According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse:
* 75 percent of domestic violence is caused by drug addicts.
* More than 14 million Americans meet the criteria for alcohol-use disorders.
* More than 100,000 deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year.
* In the United States, the root cause of 25 percent of the total deaths can be attributed to drug abuse.
* Children from families where drug and alcohol abuse are prevalent are more likely to suffer from asthma.
* 50 percent of Americans have a loved one who is suffering from alcohol or drug abuse at any given time.Statistics like these are alarming. Drug and alcohol abuse is a huge problem in the United States, and the damage being done to families as a result is catastrophic.
Identification
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Substance abusers often show signs of addiction. If someone you know displays any of the following characteristics, she may have a problem:
* Cycles of increased energy, restlessness or inability to sleep
* Sudden unexplained weight gain or loss
* Cycles of excessive sleep
* Extreme changes in behavior
* For children, sudden withdrawal from social activities
* Odd behavior from a child that seems out of characterIf you are someone the child trusts, ask questions to find out if there may be drug or alcohol problems within the family.
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Effects
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Alcohol and drug abuse has a profound effect on the family unit. Children of substance abusers often display higher levels of aggression, anxiety and hyperactivity. Because they are not getting the attention and affection from home, they seek it out in other areas. Often this leads to delinquency and substance abuses of their own.
Families of substance abusers frequently don't have the financial means to support themselves. Money that would otherwise go towards rent and groceries is spent on alcohol and drugs. If the problem gets bad enough, children may end up homeless and malnourished.
Misconceptions
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Drug and alcohol abuses are not inner-city problems. Addictions can strike any family in any area. Suburban families may be more hesitant to admit abuses, but the problem persists, even in wealthy areas.
If you suspect a substance-abuse problem, there most likely is one. Drug and alcohol abuse can be witnessed in every city in the United States, from the poorest towns to the most affluent suburbs. No one race, economic or religious group is immune to the circumstance of substance abuse.
Prevention/Solution
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Alcohol and drug abuse in the family can seem hopeless to a child. However, there are many programs available to help.
If children are the victim of their parents' substance abuse, they should seek help from someone they trust. Other family members or school officials are a good place to start. If the problem is life threatening, local law enforcement agencies can assist with finding help immediately.
Several non-profit agencies exist to help families in need. Al-Anon is an example of a non-profit organization set up to assist families in dealing with substance-abuse issues.
Children need to know they don't have to suffer quietly. If a child you know needs help, take the necessary steps to make that child safe. With all the help available, no child should be the victim of family substance abuse.
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