Impact Of Substance Abuse On Children Valley Care Coalition Chair

It is estimated that more than eight million children younger than age 18 live with at least one adult who has a substance use disorder; that is a rate of more than one in 10 children, most of whom are under the age of five (SAMHSA, 2010). As many parents and professionals know, there is quite a large amount of development that happens from birth to that age. Living in an environment with someone struggling from substance abuse lays the groundwork for these children to suffer from a number of issues.

Families with substance use disorders reveal patterns that significantly influence child development and the likelihood that a child will struggle with emotional, behavioral, or substance use problems (SAMHSA, 2003). Other negative impacts of substance disorder on the family include disruption of attachment, rituals, roles, routines, communication, social life, and finances. Families such as these are generally characterized by an environment of secrecy, loss, conflict, violence or abuse, emotional chaos, role reversal, and fear.

Relationships within the family serve as a pathway for the child to learn how relationships work. If an infant cries and his/her needs are met quickly, it establishes they are in a safe environment with dependable people. Alternatively, if someone is slow to respond or inconsistently responsive to the infants needs, an insecure attachment may form; this makes those children more vulnerable and can result in a variety of problems including anxiety, depression, and failure to thrive (Lander, L, 2013).

The negative consequences of having one or both parents struggling with substance abuse may play out when a child is having difficulty establishing trusting relationships with people. Further, these children can become overly emotionally responsible in relationships and take on adult roles much younger than developmentally appropriate. Substance abuse affects every dynamic of the family and the ripple effects of choosing not to address it are profound and can have a lasting impact on the child and their future.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse please encourage them to reach out and ask for help. Resources in our area include several private counselors, EMCMHC, 988 crisis line, or for further information specific to Valley County dial 211 or visit the CARE Coalition website at http://www.valleycarecoalition.com/community-resources. Help is available to those in need, and we can change the future for our children; let’s show them how to thrive sober.