As a social work major at Bridgewater State University, I am writing with regard to the increasingly growing problem of substance abuse and the effects that it has on families, especially children.
Recently, there have been stories about children being abused, neglected or put into harm’s way due to their caretaker’s substance abuse problem. Research has shown that substance abuse has devastating effects on families. In fact, data from 2009 to 2014 shows that 1 in 8 children live in a household where one parent has substance use disorder and 1 in 10 children live in a household where one parent has an alcohol use disorder.
Children who live with parents who have a substance abuse problem suffer from development problems, emotional and behavioral problems, and are more likely to develop substance use problems. They are also more likely to be physical and sexually abused and/or neglected.
In households where alcohol and other drugs are abused, the behavior is unpredictable and there is a lack of communication. The family life becomes chaos and behaviors within can go from loving to withdrawn to crazy.
Research has shown that children need structure and rules. In a household where a parent has a substance abuse disorder, the structure and rules are either nonexistent or inconsistent which leads to the children feeling confused and insecure. Many children even begin to blame themselves for their parent’s substance use. Due to the traumatic events that many of these children witness, they can suffer from post-traumatic stress including the flashbacks, anxiety, sleep disturbances and depression that are associated with victims of war crimes.
As a community, we have to come together and educate ourselves on this growing epidemic that is not only affecting the person who is using but the families of the user as well. Parental substance abuse can affect a child’s behavior, mental health, and physical development, but research has shown that improving the functioning of the family these problems can be rectified.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a substance abuse problem, think of the children that can and will be affected. For help go to, findtreatment.samhsa.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP.
Kayley Powers
Fall River