Drug abuse is not only a problem for single young adults. Many families in the United States have a parent or other older family member that has a substance abuse problem. This can cause a multitude of problems such as the parent or family member being absent in moments of their children’s lives because he or she is in a drug rehab center or in a hospital suffering serious health complications caused by his or her condition. This problem within families is more common than we’d like to think.
According to the National Survey of Children’s Health in 2012, “21 percent of children cared for by a divorced or separated mother had lived with someone—usually a parent or sibling—who ‘had a problem with alcohol or drugs.’” A home where a child is exposed to harmful substances is a completely unhealthy environment for him or her to grow up in.
There is no one cause for single parents having addiction problems and or going to rehab. Sometimes these problems are pre-existing while others result from relationship conflicts. No matter the cause, this can have major effects on the child’s physical, mental and emotional health.
Children of parents with substance abuse addictions are eight times more likely to develop an addiction resulting in the need for rehab than children of parents who do not have a substance abuse problem. Children of single parents with substance abuse problems commonly difficulty in relationships with that family member as well as other family members, depending on the situation.
Many children growing up in homes where they see a parent or other family member struggle with a drug or alcohol addiction he or she may become depressed, anxious or have low self-esteem. This can affect many aspects of a child’s life such as their social life, academic success and much more.
According to the Family Facts website, “Compared with adolescents in intact families, youths who lived with a divorced parent, whether single or remarried, were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, carrying a weapon, fighting, and sexual activities.”
Many times, addiction affects the lives of others surrounding the parent or family member suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. In turn, parents or family members who attend rehab can positively affect others by overcoming the addiction and striving to make healthy and positive life changes. There are many success stories of single or married parents overcoming addiction and changing the lives of their families through rehab.
Jordan Lee is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Odyssey House.