Children and Addiction-Alcoholics

Surely our children deserve to live in a drug addiction free environment.

The statistics of children growing up in environment where elements that triggers addiction is worrying globally and in fact in America for example it is believed that one in five adult creating a greater risk for children having emotional problems than those children brought up in a sober environment. Alcoholism for example runs in families, and children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics themselves. Compounding the psychological impact of being raised by a parent who is suffering from alcohol abuse is the fact that most children of alcoholics have experienced some form of neglect or abuse.

When a child is being raised by a parent or guardian who is suffering from alcohol abuse may have a variety of conflicting emotions that need to be addressed in order to avoid future problems. Some of the conflicting feelings may include:

• Guilt. The child may see himself or herself as the main cause of the mother’s or father’s drinking.
• Anxiety. The child may worry constantly about the situation at home. He or she may fear the alcoholic parent will become sick or injured, and may also fear fights and violence between the parents.
• Embarrassment. Parents may give the child the message that there is a terrible secret at home. The ashamed child does not invite friends home and is afraid to ask anyone for help.
• Inability to have close relationships. Because the child has been disappointed by the drinking parent many times, he or she often does not trust others.
• Confusion. The alcoholic parent will change suddenly from being loving to angry, regardless of the child’s behavior. A regular daily schedule, which is very important for a child, does not exist because bedtimes and mealtimes are constantly changing.
• Anger. The child feels anger at the alcoholic parent for drinking, and may be angry at the non-alcoholic parent for lack of support and protection.
• Depression. The child feels lonely and helpless to change the situation.

Although the child tries to keep the alcoholism a secret other people around like teachers, relatives, other adults, or friends may sense that something is wrong with this child. Teachers and guardians should be aware that the following behaviors may signal a drinking or other problem at home:

• Failure in school; truancy
• Lack of friends; withdrawal from classmates
• Delinquent behavior, such as stealing or violence
• Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol
• Aggression towards other children
• Risk taking behaviors
• Depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior

Some children of alcoholics may cope by taking the role of responsible “parents” within the family and among friends. They may become controlled, successful “overachievers” throughout school, and at the same time be emotionally isolated from other children and teachers. Their emotional problems may show only when they become adults.

It is important for relatives, teachers and caregivers to realize that whether or not the parents are receiving treatment for alcoholism, these children and adolescents can benefit from educational programs and early professional help is also important in preventing more serious problems for the child, including reducing risk for future alcoholism. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can diagnose and treat problems in children of alcoholics. They can also help the child to understand that they are not the ones responsible for the drinking problems of their parents and that the child can be helped even if the parent is in denial and refusing to seek help.

During treatment program other youngsters may be included in the group therapy this will help reduces the isolation of being a child of an alcoholic. The child and adolescent psychiatrist will often work with the entire family, particularly when the alcoholic parent has stopped drinking, to help them develop healthier ways of relating to one another.

Children and Addiction-Teens Alcohol and other Drugs

Young people particularly teenagers like to explore on things and so experimentation with alcohol and drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately they often don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences for tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience.

Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age has negative health effects. It is important to note that while some teens will experiment and stop or continue to use occasionally without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, moving on to more dangerous drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possibly others. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. Those teenagers who are likely to bear the greater risk are those:

• with a family history of substance use disorders
• who are depressed
• who have low self-esteem, and
• who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream

There is no limit on the kinds of drugs teenagers’ abuse it is all round to them a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. The use of illegal drugs is increasing, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common.

Drug use is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug use later in life, school failure, and poor judgment which may put teens at risk for accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide. Parents can prevent their children from using drugs by talking to them about drugs, open communication, role modeling, responsible behavior, and recognizing if problems are developing.

Children and Addiction-Warning signs of teenage alcohol and drug use

Physical: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.

Emotional: personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.

Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, or withdrawing from the family.

School: decreased interest, negative attitude and drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.

Social problems: new friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.

Some of the warning signs we have discussed so far can be signs of other problems as well which parents may use to recognize signs of trouble and possible use of alcohol and other drugs with their teenager. If you have concerns you may want to consult your physician to rule out physical causes of the warning signs. However when this persist seeking an expert opinion would be necessary. Doctor Dalal Akoury is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than two decades of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health. She has also served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and has performed research in leukemia and the effects of smoking. Problems affecting your children will be safe in the care of such experts like doctor Akoury.

Children and Addiction-Alcoholics