Drug abuse can be a dangerous and sometimes deadly habit for many people. This problem can be even more extreme when it is a parent that is affected. When parents develop a drug habit, the consequences on children can be enormous. Drugs can also lead to child neglect and other problems that some states classify as child abuse. For this reason, it is important that parents with substance abuse problems be entered into treatment as fast as possible to minimize the effects on the entire family.
Loss of Security, Increased Confusion
Drug abuse can cause changes in the home environment that many children have become accustomed to. This can be characterized by a change in the parent's behavior and even the increased presence of strangers in the home that can intimidate and frighten children. Children may not immediately understand what the cause of this change is, although they can usually identify a change in their parents as being the root cause. They can start to worry about the parent and be confused by the change in their relationship, particularly if the parent stops expressing love or interest in the children. Children may also feel angry by the change in the environment and in their parents and fail to understand why their parents don't make the necessary changes to return life to normal.
Self-Blame
It is common for many children to conclude that they themselves are the cause of the home problems. This can be exacerbated by parents who lash out at the children, making statements about how their drug or alcohol use is a result of the stresses of parenting. Different children can address this issue in different ways. Some children take that blame they feel and try to proactively correct the problem. This can result in the child working harder in school, cleaning their room or the house, or minimizing fights and quarrels with others. Other children withdraw from the situation, taking the approach that if they get out of the situation, they can alleviate the problems as a result of their absence.
Restricted Social Life
Problems at home can cause some children to avoid certain social situations. This frequently involves the avoidance of bringing friends home, choosing not to invite their parents to school events or avoiding being seen in public with the parents. If other families are aware of the parent's drug problems, it can make it harder for these children to make friends, since some parents may warn their own children to avoid the family for fear of their child's safety.
