One in four children lived with an alcoholic or other
drug addict while growing up. When we include other addictions (gambling,
eating disorders, pornography etc.) who knows how to measure the impact on
children in our current addictive culture. Most have experienced some form of
neglect or abuse.
A relationship between parental addiction and child abuse
has been documented in a large proportion of child abuse and neglect cases. A
national study of welfare professionals showed that 79.6% cited substance abuse
contributing to at least 1/2 of all cases of child mistreatment they see.
Another 39.7 of workers said it is a factor in 3/4 of their cases. It is
estimated that 80% of welfare spending is due to substance abuse and addiction.
A child raised in such an environment may have a variety
of emotional problems. They may struggle with guilt as small children often see
themselves as the main cause of family problems. They may worry constantly
about the situation at home and may fear fights and domestic abuse between the
parents, or the high possibility of divorce. The addiction is kept a secret and
children may feel ashamed to invite others home. They are ashamed and afraid to
ask anyone for help.
Because the child has been disappointed by the addicted
parent(s) so often they often struggle to trust others. They are generally
confused by the lack of a regular schedule and the mood swings of the parents.
Often the children are very depressed feeling lonely and helpless to change the
situation.
Although trying to keep the addiction as secret, children
often exhibit acting out behaviors. They may fail in school and be truant. They
may start stealing or exhibit violence. They frequently have physical complaints such
as headaches or stomachaches. They are at high risk for becoming addicted
themselves, and their age of initial substance abuse the earliest.
Some children of addicts take on acting like responsible
parents. They can become overachievers yet still be emotionally isolated from
others. To keep the family system together they assume roles that should be
taken by the addicted parent(s).
Again, children of addiction are high risk to become
addicts themselves or highly co-dependent and get involved in tangled
relationships with addicts.
