Substance Abuse was once the silent killer of many people and families but today it is coming to the surface for all to see. Substance Use Disorders ( SUD ) is defined as a disorder with illicit drugs or alcohol that is reoccurring and effects ones work, social interaction, home life and becomes unable to control.
In a research project done from 2009 to 2014 –
1 in 8 children aged 17 and younger live in a house with at least one parent with a substance disorder.
To put that in prospective – this means in an average classroom setting of 24 children, 3 of those children will live in a house with substance abuse. When I think about this it is shocking to think that 3 of my children’s friends may live in a house that is stressful and not safe. Children come into this world as a blank slate and have the right to feel safe and protected in their own homes. They need to love and nurturing to be able to grow and flourish as a person.
Why is this an important issue to be brought into the light? These children that are subjected to a unstable, unhealthy and unsafe house is OUR FUTURE. About 1 in 10 children ( 7.5 million ) live in a house with a parent that has an alcohol disorder. About 1 in 35 children ( 2.1 million ) live in a house with a parent that has a illicit drug disorder. The negative effects that this has on children whom witness this life starts with lower socioeconomic status, increased difficulties in social and academic settings as well as family functions. These children have a higher rate for mental and behavioral disorders as well as developing their own substance abuse disorder. A child that has a parent with substance abuse disorder is at a higher risk of abuse, neglect, and poverty.
I am one in eight children that grew up in a household with at least one parent with a substance abuse disorder. The effects this has had on my life is unspeakable and something that I prefer to not think about. The embarrassment and shame I suffered with all of my childhood because of the actions of one parent has forever been burned into me. My household issues was not one that was secret while I grew up, people in my town and school knew what was happening but nothing was done. This was 30+ years ago and times need to change!
Children have voices but some don’t know how to use them or what to do. These issues can not be kept quiet any longer. We need to be the voice for children. Every child has a right to have a nurturing environment to grow in. Every child has the right to food on their plate, clothes on their back and a safe home.
There are lots of programs available for parents with substance abuse disorders as well there are programs available for children that have been effected by the disorder their parent is suffering from. Al-Anon is a program that is provided and available in all communities for family members that has someone with a substance abuse disorder in their home. These groups give family members support and guidance to be able to have their voice.
Be the voice – Be the difference for children that have a right for a safe healthy home to grow in!
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3223/ShortReport-3223.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725219/
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/guide-for-children
https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/how-addiction-affects-the-family/
I didn’t realize the term was now “Substance Use Disorder”… and yes, definitely be the voice!
Wow Sarah! The statistics are sadly staggering!! I always feel some heart break when I think of children suffering because of the actions of the adults in their lives. It truly is not fair.