Parents always worry about their kids – how well they’ll do in school, who their friends will be, what their careers will be when they grow up, and how healthy they’ll be. These are very natural and common worries of a parent! Alongside this, many parents worry about whether or not their children will develop a substance use disorder. These thoughts are certainly in the minds of parents who currently suffer, or have suffered from, an addiction themselves.
What we know from research is that 40-70% of the risk of developing an addiction is genetic. That is good news if you have never had problems with substance use, and bad news if you have. It’s not a sure thing, though. The good news for both types of parents is that a significant amount of the risk for substance use and addiction is environmental and therefore can be affected in a positive way.
Stress in childhood is a prevalent risk factor for substance use disorders. The stress pathways in the brain are activated during times of emotional, physical, sexual abuse, neglect, household instability, and poverty. Additionally, the earlier someone’s brain is subjected to substances, the higher the risk of developing an addiction.
Adolescence is a particularly important time in the development of the brain. A teenager’s brain is continuing to develop and one of the most important parts of the brain (the frontal cortex) is not mature until the mid 20’s. Drug and alcohol abuse in adolescence can damage the frontal cortex and inhibit the ability to reach their full potential, and rewire the brain to encourage use of substances.
Parents are the most influential people in the lives of their children, and that is especially true for addiction risk. Anything that can be done to reduce the stress in a child’s home will have benefits for the child and will reduce their risk of developing substance use disorders. Likewise, enforcing rules that delay the exposure to substances until the latest age possible will pay dividends for that child’s health, both physically and mentally.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
