Impact of Parental Drug Abuse on Children

May 13th, 2011 by

Parental drug abuse can have severe implications on children’s lives. Children of parents who abuse drugs are found to have various behavioral problems, social problems, emotional/mental problems, developmental issues etc. Such children are prone to get affected by problems like depression, poor academic performance, improper social behavior, delinquency etc. It is also found that children of drug addicted parents are more likely to take up drugs or alcohol in their later life. Parents who abuse drugs affect the children in number of ways.

Impact on Children’s:
The family life of drug abusing parents is characterized by unpredictability, aggressive behavior, lack of communication etc.

Health
The children with parents who abuse drugs are found to have number of health related issues. Parents who abuse drugs are more likely to have sudden mood swings, aggression, improper behavior which casts a lasting effect on children. Children can suffer from stress related health problems like gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, headaches, or asthma. There are also chances of children getting injured due to neglect from parents. Even drug abuse by mother during pregnancy is associated with long term effects on the child. Some harmful effects on unborn child include brain deformities, growth irregularities, developmental issues, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, cognitive impairment, mental retardation etc. The children in the drug abusing families suffer from other health problems due to maltreatment and malnourishment arising out of neglect.

Education
Drug abusing parents will also have disturbing consequences on academics of their children. The children are likely to suffer from learning disabilities, academic deficiencies, poor performance at schools, repeat more grades etc due to continuous unhealthy and stressful atmosphere at their homes. The children can not concentrate on their studies and homework as their mind is preoccupied due to verbal abuse, stress in their homes. Also, the children cannot work to their maximum potential as their attention is gripped on the drug abusing parent. The children may develop behavioral problems in schools like not communicating with anyone, slow, crying etc.

Financial Status
The parents who abuse drugs have wider implications on financial status of the family that also affects children. As parents may spend their entire earning in obtaining the drugs, the education, basic amenities, and requirements of children get neglected. The addicted parents may neglect to fulfill necessary obligations like paying rents, mortgage repayments etc. The parents also stand chance of losing their jobs due to decreased ability to work. Also, the families have to bear the cost towards treatment of the drug addict parents due to various ailments which disturbs the financial status of family. The further education of children also hampers as parents put money from resources to fund their drug addiction.

Affection
Parents who abuse drugs often show behavioral problems, personality disorders, depression etc. Such mental condition affects the relationship, interaction, and social fabric between parents and children. Parents who suffer from such problems will be in a depressed state of mind, show less inclination towards communication and less affection for their children. Such children who receive less affection from their parents develop low self esteem, low confidence, insecurity etc.

The children of parents who abuse drugs also suffer from various emotional effects like mistrust, guilt, shame, confusion, insecurity etc. Parental drug abuse affects the overall development of the children as parents suffer from unemployment, illnesses, domestic violence, legal problems etc.

Posted in Uncategorized

Tags:

The Main Alcoholism Fact is That it Ruins Lives

July 10th, 2011 by

When we talk about an alcoholism fact there are many interesting things related to alcohol. There will not be any exaggeration if we say that the word “alcohol” has become very common word in the international dictionary. Some other words, which have been exploited badly, are “sex” and “Internet”. People from all occupations have abused no matter for what reason or use, “alcohol” since centuries.

For many centuries the world has abused alcohol and other related substances for different reasons. When we discuss alcoholism fact, it must begin with the reason that makes this substance so popular. Actually when alcohol is taken in the body and eventually the brain, it secretes some chemicals called dopamine and serotonin. It is due to these chemicals that induce a state of euphoria, goodness and well-being for the drinker.

Most of the time when any drinker drinks alcohol he feels good and a sense of euphoria is induced in his brain. That is the main reason a drinker drinks alcohol repeatedly. Only due to this feeling, a social drinker becomes an alcoholic personality.

Let us see some alcohol facts and myths here. Readers please note that these fact and myths are research based. One of the main myths is that alcohol destroys brain cells, whereas fact is the moderate consumption of alcohol does not destroy brain cells. In fact, it is often associated with improved cognitive or mental functioning.

Another common myth is white or red wine is a good choice for a person who wants a light drink with less alcohol. Whereas the surprising alcoholism fact is a glass of white or red wine, a bottle of beer, or a shot of whiskey or other distilled spirits all contain equivalent amounts of alcohol.

Another important alcoholism fact is that regular consumption of alcohol produces tolerance to the substance. That means regular consumption makes a drinker used to a specific quantity of alcohol. As a result, alcohol does not get high on it and there is either no euphoria or little euphoria.

One of the most important alcoholism facts is people abuse alcohol to get that sense of euphoria or well being. Another remarkable alcoholism fact is tolerance increases with the regular consumption of alcohol. Suppose a person drinks alcohol on a regular basis, his tolerance or capacity increases with the time. This means he would have to take more alcohol to get that feeling of euphoria or well being.

As generally seen, physically for men and women of the same height and weight, the effects of alcohol are different for both of them. Studies show that as compared to men women are affected more rapidly because they tend to have a slightly higher proportion of fat to lean muscle tissue. That results in concentrating alcohol a little more easily in their lower percentage of body water. In addition to that, women also have less dehydrogenase, an enzyme responsible for metabolization.

Another important alcoholism fact is that the effects of same amount, quality and in take have different effects on different body. That means the effects differ severely from person to person. For example, if one addict has severe liver damage the other has pancreatitis. However, it is interesting to note that the first organ to bear the impact of the alcohol intake is always the stomach. That is because of the acidic nature of alcohol.

Liver damage is one of the commonest health problems amongst alcoholics, beginning with hepatitis and ending with cirrhosis.

Lastly, when it comes to stomach then apart from other body organs, the liver gets affected more severely. As we know, the liver is the organ responsible for production of many enzymes, clotting factors and breakdown of food. Therefore, damage to liver disrupts many body functions. Therefore, as far as possible we should stay away from heavy use of alcohol, otherwise chances of us becoming another statistics would be increased drastically.

Posted in Uncategorized

Tags:

The Social Impact on Drug and Alcohol Abuse

June 12th, 2011 by

Everyday in the U.S. 136 people die from drug and alcohol abuse, and data from both government and private sources indicate that these numbers are almost 35% greater than reported 2 years ago. What this data doesn’t disclose is the true impact that these deaths have on the family and loved ones of those who have died from the ugly insidious disease of drug addiction and alcoholism. While there has been a overwhelming attempt by the government and private agencies to step in with financial aid and policy in the form of treatment, support, and awareness programs for those affected by drug and alcohol abuse there is still much to be done.

The lives of everyone who comes in contact with an alcoholic or drug addict are impacted: family, friends, and co-workers are directly affected while a spillover effect further touches those outside direct contact of the addicted. Many never seek the help of support groups out of shame, fear, denial, and other reasons while the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction continue to slowly eat away the lives of all they touch.

Treatment from both 12 step groups and qualified professionals have shown significant success once the drug addicted and alcoholic become honest and accept their disease and seek out help, but until there is acceptance and a cry for help from the alcoholic or drug addict there little hope for recovery.

Accessibility to treatment and services for those affected by the addiction of drugs and alcohol has become easier in recent years and many who could not afford or find help now can. Insurance providers have become equally sensitive to the impact of drugs and alcohol and now have implemented coverage and resource for those covered under their insurance plans.

In the Southern California area, many treatment providers have made a shift in their approach to treatment by expanding upon the more traditional methods to include one on one, family based, and long term after care in a combination of 12 step meetings with group and private counseling. But before treatment can begin in most cases, intervention is required to reach the drug addict or alcoholic in a non-threatening environment.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is a planned attempt by family members and friends to help a chemically dependent person get help. Interventions have a high success rate when done under the guidance and supervision of a trained counselor and with the help of family and friends closest to the addicted person. Even when drugs or alcohol appear to have taken over one’s life, it is still very powerful (and necessary) to be confronted with one’s own behavior and the effects it has had on those people closest to one.

The role of family and friends in intervention is vital. There is strength in numbers when family and friends confront the abuser as a group. Yet even though they are sick and tired of trying to control their loved one’s behavior, those closest to the addict tend to protect him or her from the consequences of drinking or using. Stopping such “rescue missions” is an essential part of intervention. The addict needs to fully experience the harmful effects of addiction. Getting into treatment, getting sober, and receiving appropriate psychiatric care and medication can greatly reduce symptom severity, thus helping the dually-diagnosed addict feel better and think more clearly. With such progress, he stands a much better chance of maintaining his substance abuse recovery and coping with psychological disorders.

Posted in Uncategorized

Tags: