When a parent, sibling, or other close family member suffers from addiction, a child can be impacted in various ways. Evidence indicates that a child’s environment when growing up and their brain is developing affects their life’s outcome, including personality traits, beliefs, as well as mental and physical health. Learning how addiction affects children is quite important for families living in these circumstances. You should also know that family therapy, coupled with addiction treatment from Georgia Addiction Treatment Center, can help family members see significant improvement in outcomes. To learn about the treatment options available, contact our team today at 833.641.0661.
How Addiction Affects Children
Children who are dealing with addiction face a wide range of challenges. They may struggle with understanding what is happening if they are younger, but as they get older, this can lead to trauma and development concerns. Some examples of how addiction impacts children include:
- Watching a parent be ill can create intense fear and worry over what may happen to them
- Some children develop a belief that drugs and alcohol are normal and acceptable in routine use
- Resentment may also occur, especially if a child suffers a loss due to the parent’s actions
- Anxiety and depression can occur if a child watches a loved one struggle with addiction
- Some may take on the same habits, leading to early use of drugs and, in some cases, numerous health complications and destructive behavior
It would be best if you did not overlook addiction’s impact on your children. It’s critical to seek addiction treatment as soon as possible to avoid these consequences.
Dealing with an Addicted Parent as a Teen
Teens may experience intense emotions surrounding their parent’s use of drugs or alcohol. If they are dealing with an addicted parent, they may feel emotions such as disgust, embarrassment, and fear. They may also display copycat behavior where they engage in drug and alcohol use, believing it to be safe since their parents do it. Some children also struggle financially, lack access to medical care, or be unable to maintain relationships due to a parent’s behaviors.
Addiction Treatment Can Help
If you are a parent who uses drugs or alcohol, you may be worried about what you can do to help your child. Having an open and honest conversation about what’s occurring, why, and what you plan to do about it may help your child to come to a better understanding.
For example, explain what addiction therapy is. Discuss why addiction may have formed. Talk about how drug and alcohol addiction is damaging your health and mental wellbeing. Being honest allows the child to learn a few things. First, they know that you’re sick and working towards healing. It also teaches them that this behavior isn’t okay and can cause numerous harmful complications in their lives. Having this conversation may help your child to get the help he or she needs, too. Family therapy may also help to ensure the best possible understanding of this complex topic.
Find the Supportive Help You Need at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
When you’re embracing drug and alcohol abuse treatment, don’t forget to include your loved ones in that therapy. At Georgia Addiction Treatment Center, we work with families who need support and guidance. Let us help you through a range of treatment programs and therapies. You can heal, as can your family members. Learn more about our programs such as:
- Men’s rehab center
- Women’s rehab center
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment program
Learning how addiction affects children is a good step in recognizing the need to get help. If you are using drugs or alcohol, and you want to change a child’s future, call our team at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center at 833.641.0661. Let our compassionate counselors help you to find the therapy you need.