How Children of Addicts Are Affected
Having an alcohol or substance addiction can be an immensely challenging issue to deal with. It can be a physically, emotionally, and mentally debilitating disease that negatively affects how someone navigates through life. An unintended consequence of having these addictions is how they impact those around you. That is particularly the case when it comes to the children of addicts, where the tumultuous environment these children are raised in causes long-term harm.
Our professionals at Counseling of Southwest Florida are able to assist these children of addicts in improving their mental and emotional ailments. Continue reading below, as we’ve put together some information that might be beneficial to you or a child who is currently struggling and in need of help.
Impact of Parents’ Addiction on Children
One of the more challenging aspects of dealing with parents who have an addiction or engage in substance abuse is the emotional unease and conflict around parental roles. Our professionals at Counseling of Southwest Florida can tell you that this is a common occurrence known as “role reversal,” where the child gets forced into the role of “parenting the parent.” This often leads to children taking up the responsibilities of running the household and finding ways to pay bills while maintaining the livability of the home. It also could lead to the emotionally taxing duty of taking care of a high or intoxicated parent, both physically and emotionally, when they can’t take care of themselves.
The ramifications of this type of relationship dynamic in these homes on children are significant. Children of parents with addiction and substance abuse issues often develop interpersonal complications, suffer issues with their performance in school, and have insecure attachment issues. There is also an increased likelihood of admissions to the emergency room, as well as instances of neglect or sexual abuse. That increased physical and emotional burden children have to take on, particularly if they have to keep their parents’ substance abuse secretive, can cause serious guilt and shame in a child.
Get Help With Our Southwest Florida Counseling Center
If you or somebody you know has a child who is experiencing issues due to having parents dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, be sure to get in touch with the professionals at Counseling of Southwest Florida to get them the help and the mental therapy needed to get them better. Get started on the path to health and happiness today, or reach out to our team to learn more about the process today. Also, be sure to read some of our other articles to get further insights into the benefits of counseling, drug addiction, mental health, and more.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676900/
- https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/files/146582035/Parental_alcohol_use_disorder_with_and_without_other_mental_disorders_and_offspring_alcohol_use_disorder.pdf
Related Readings
Casey is the founder and CEO of Portner Counseling Group (PCG), a counseling center in the Fort Lauderdale area, which specializes with issues related to drug and alcohol use. Casey has completed focused course work on the physiological aspects of drug addiction and human psychology, as well as received extensive training on the treatment of co-occurring disorders.