When you consider the facts, kids are a pretty adaptable group of humans, aren’t they? From the moment they learn to walk, children tumble down hills, bounce down the stairs, and slam into walls as they learn about their surroundings and typically emerge with nothing but a few bumps and bruises. From the ages of 5 to 21, we humans undergo incredible psychological and neurological transformations that can turn us into remarkable organisms. Likewise, we are curious and adventurous as youngsters and are always eager to learn. So imagine how tragic life can be when your mom or dad passes out on the couch, drowning in a mixture of self-loathing and vomit? As shocking as this sounds, thousands of children around the world are victimized by addict parents, and the situation can only become worse as these children reach young adulthood. Let’s take a closer look at this situation and find out more.
Adverse Experience and Negativity
If a parent consumes alcohol or drugs and negatively affects their children’s lives, this is labeled as an adverse childhood experience (ACE). In fact, in 1998, scientists conducted one of the largest research studies on the terrible effects of childhood abuse and its connections to negative aspects that transcend the children’s future adult lives.
According to psychologist John Bachman, a large portion of his patients who suffer from addiction equally suffered from tragic, abusive childhoods. In many instances, the patients lived in a household where the primary caregiver or parent suffered from some form of drug or alcohol abuse. Bachman emphasizes how the number-one problem with households fueled by substance abuse and addiction is the negligence of a child or children. As they suffer from a continuous need to fuel a “high,” these parents will completely forget about their little ones.
Grim Reality
In total, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has calculated that 25% of children growing up in the United States live in homes where substance abuse and addiction are common. Likewise, additional studies have also confirmed that the children of addicts are 8 times more likely to suffer from the same mental illness as their parents.
As part of the ACE study, researchers constructed a pyramid of negative ascension, so to speak, concerning childhood neglect and drug addiction later in life:
- Stage 1: Adverse Childhood Experience
- Stages 2 through additional: Disruption in neural development, cognitive impairment, social regression, temperamental and behavioral problems
- Final stage: Early Death
Always remember that alcohol and drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or addiction troubles today.
