According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, "Children raised in families with high rates of conflict appear at risk for both delinquency and illicit drug use." Adding drug and alcohol addiction to an imbalanced family can have serious results.
Drug and Alcohol abuse
An imbalanced family often fosters drug and alcohol abuse. Many children who see their parents abusing alcohol will also abuse alcohol and drugs, according to SAMHSA. "Alcohol-related disorders have been found in multiple generations of families and have been studied over time," according to SAMHSA. Alcohol and drugs can be used as a way for family members to escape their living conditions.
Identification
Several symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse can be present in an imbalanced family. Slurred speech, alcohol on the breath and deterioration in health are all signs of drug or alcohol abuse. This is especially important to watch for in younger children who are in imbalanced families because drug and alcohol abuse often starts at an early age in imbalanced families.
Concerns
Emotional and physical abuse is present in imbalanced families. The addition of drugs and alcohol can only make these larger problems. Drugs and alcohol can have an adverse affect on decision making, can heighten anger and can lead to physical and emotional abuse. If one person in the family is already abusive, with or without the influence of drugs and alcohol, other family members might use drugs and alcohol to escape from the situation.
Long-Term Effects
Long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse can affect individuals on a mental and physical level. Emotional scarring can last forever, and individuals might need hours of counseling to get over them. Also, children who grow up in abusive households with alcohol and drug addictions often exhibit the same behaviors when they start their own household.
Solutions
Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and rehabilitation centers are available for those with drug and alcohol problems. Family counseling is available for families that have issues that cause imbalance. Along with both of these options, the use of an intervention for family members who have addiction issues is an option. If none of these are feasible options, shelters for battered women and children are available in most cities.
