The Impact of Substance Abuse on Children

Navigating the terrain of substance abuse often resembles a persistent battle, where even the victory of recovery doesn't always silence the echoes of the past. The journey toward sobriety is an ongoing effort, demanding substantial commitment and resilience. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) isn't just a challenge for the individual; it casts a wide net, affecting family members in profound ways.

Children, in particular, bear a significant weight when a parent is grappling with addiction. The impact of addiction isn't limited to the immediate family; it can be a lifelong presence, touching even the lives of adults who once faced the upheaval of having a parent dealing with substance abuse.

The Impact of Substance Abuse on Children

Remember that the following is only a general list of how children are affected. There are many more ways that children are impacted that will be unique to their specific situation. Also, keep in mind that this post, by no means, is intended to shame parents or make them feel any way about their addiction. If it does ruffle feathers, I hope it leads to appropriate realizations and inspires healthy change.

Needs Can Be Neglected

Children need to have their necessities taken care of in life. Food, shelter, water, and hygiene are paramount to all children’s health. Unfortunately, sometimes, when a parent is struggling with addiction, the funds to take care of those basic needs may go toward fueling their addiction.

A child’s needs go far beyond these basic necessities. Children also need to feel safe and secure with their attachment to their parents. While children still learn a lot about the world, they pick up on things most adults don’t give them credit for. They might not understand their parent’s addiction, but they do understand that something is taking attention and time away from them.

As adults, these experiences can have lasting effects, forming insecure attachments with others, including future partners. The absence of safety and security can compel children to mature prematurely. It's disheartening that some kids are compelled to assume responsibilities beyond their years, feeling the need to stay vigilant and awake until their parent falls asleep to extinguish a lit cigarette and alleviate the worry of the house catching fire. No child should be burdened with such responsibilities.

Lack of Trust

Children who watch their parents struggle with addiction will often grow up distrusting the intentions of others. In their childhood and teenage years, they may not trust any adult. Being raised in a home where there are substance abuse problems can cause them to form a severe distrust of any adult. They may stop trusting their parents from an early age, too.

Dysfunctional Home Environment

No matter how you slice it, addiction causes there to be dysfunction within the family home. It’s common for many children with addictive parents to develop anxiety or depression disorders earlier than most. Living in a home where you don’t know what to expect each day can cause your body to be constantly alert. This hypervigilant state increases the chances of these disorders developing.

Substance Use & Abuse

We aren’t saying this is accurate for every situation where addiction is present. Unfortunately, it can happen, however. Children might find themselves in abusive situations either themselves or witnessing abuse in the family. This could be anything from mental to physical abuse inside the family home.

Increases Their Chances Of Addiction

Addiction is a family disease in more than one way. When a child has a parent who suffers from addiction, it increases the chance of them dealing with it later in life, too.  There is no singular gene for addiction, but rather multiple genes that make a person more susceptible to addiction.

Children also learn from their home environment. They may see their parent coping with stress by turning to substances. Later, they may model the same behavior. Also, being likely to develop a mental health disorder often puts them at a greater risk of struggling with addiction.

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Addiction is a family disease that can have a lasting impact for generations to come. Breaking the cycle is hard, but it is not impossible. If you are a parent struggling with addiction or a child of a person with an addiction, reach out to us for support. Addiction counseling can give you the support you need.