“Did you know one in five children live in a home with parental substance abuse? As a result, many of these children suffer psychologically, physically, and emotionally for years. Drug abuse interferes with a parent’s ability to care for their children and provide a safe, nurturing environment in which they can thrive. Children with a family history of substance abuse are at high risk of developing physical and emotional issues, as well as suffering from addiction later in life. If left untreated, parental drug use has the potential to destroy a family, disrupt communication, create financial problems, fuel physical altercations, and disturb healthy family roles (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).”
The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress offers several examples of the harmful effects of parental drug use on child development.
- It creates a chaotic home life. Homes in which substance abuse is prevalent are often unpredictable and chaotic. Inappropriate family roles are often assumed, such as children taking care of siblings like parents or assuming financial responsibilities of the household. Additionally, communication among leadership in the household is often unclear or nonexistent, leaving children in a living environment that lacks structure (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It breeds violence. Substance abuse and domestic violence are closely tied. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 40 to 60 percent of domestic violence incidents co-occur with substance abuse.3 Substance abuse and child abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect are also common within families with a history of addiction, and many children suffer from symptoms of PTSD as a result of the trauma (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It contributes to mental health problems. Parents who abuse drugs and alcohol are more likely to deal with things like financial problems, divorce, physical abuse, unemployment, and legal problems, which can all cause stress at home. Children of alcoholics have a higher prevalence of suicide attempts, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression when compared with their peers (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It contributes to physical health problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that almost a quarter of children of mothers with identified substance use disorders do not receive routine child health maintenance services in their first two years of life.4 Additionally, children of substance abusers may suffer from stress-related health issues such as migraines or gastrointestinal problems as a result of their parent’s alcohol and drug abuse. Used needles and other drug paraphernalia may also create an unsanitary living environment that is full of health hazards (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It creates difficulties at school. Children whose parents abuse drugs and alcohol are more likely to be distracted at school due to emotional and psychological stress, lack of sleep, and worries or fears about things going on at home. They may also be reluctant to develop friendships with other kids at school because they are embarrassed by their home situation (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It fuels emotional issues. Children of drug-abusing parents may harbor negative emotions such as shame, fear, insecurity, or mistrust as a result of their parents’ substance abuse. It may also create a lack of respect or trust for authority figures such as teachers (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
- It increases their own risk of drug addiction. Children of substance abusing parents are more than twice as likely to have a drug and alcohol use disorder by young adulthood as compared to their peers (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).
How can we help children with addicted parents?
“As a close family member, such as a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle, it can be very difficult to help children with addicted parents. Close family members may feel an urge to rescue the child or protect them from the situation by taking them away from it, but unless the child is being neglected or physically based, parental drug abuse is unlikely to qualify as child abuse.That said, close family friends or loved ones can support children with addicted parents by being a safe and supportive adult that is always available to talk about what is going on. Aside from being available regularly, these close family members can also step in during a family crisis if necessary. Whether you are the sober parent in the situation or a close relative, one of the best things you can do to help the child of an addict is to encourage his or her addicted parent to seek treatment. (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020). “ Depending on your relationship with the addicted person, this may include doing things like:
- Planning and hosting an addiction intervention (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020)
- Helping the addicted person research treatment options (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020)
- Offering to pay for a portion of the treatment expenses (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020)
- Offering to provide childcare so the addicted person can attend outpatient meetings (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020)
- Providing emotional support throughout the treatment process (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020)
“Although the addicted person may need help to overcome his or her substance use disorder, a child of an addict will need support too. As the sober parent, you can serve as a stable and nurturing adult for the child. Addiction often makes a household feel very chaotic, but by maintaining a sense of overall routine, establishing traditions, and regularly celebrating holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, you can establish a structured, normal life. It’s also important to talk to your child about what’s going on. Educate your child about addiction in an age-appropriate way and make sure to emphasize the fact that the illness is not their fault, as children of addicted parents often blame themselves and carry this unhealthy mindset into adulthood. As the sober parent, you will also need to take care of yourself to ensure that you can care for your child or children. This may mean attending regular counseling sessions and local recovery support groups for family members of addicts. Dealing with substance abuse in your family is never easy, but there are many ways you can support the child of an addict and the addicted person to help facilitate healing (Center, How to help children with addicted parents: Tips and advice 2020).”