Impact of Parental Drug Abuse on Children

Parental drug abuse can have severe implications oncan not concentrate on their studies and homework
children's lives. Children of parents who abuse drugsas their mind is preoccupied due to verbal abuse,
are found to have various behavioral problems, socialstress in their homes. Also, the children cannot work
problems, emotional/mental problems, developmentalto their maximum potential as their attention is
issues etc. Such children are prone to get affectedgripped on the drug abusing parent. The children may
by problems like depression, poor academicdevelop behavioral problems in schools like not
performance, improper social behavior, delinquencycommunicating with anyone, slow, crying etc.
etc. It is also found that children of drug addictedFinancial Status
parents are more likely to take up drugs or alcohol inThe parents who abuse drugs have wider implications
their later life. Parents who abuse drugs affect theon financial status of the family that also affects
children in number of ways.children. As parents may spend their entire earning in
Impact on Children's:obtaining the drugs, the education, basic amenities,
The family life of drug abusing parents isand requirements of children get neglected. The
characterized by unpredictability, aggressive behavior,addicted parents may neglect to fulfill necessary
lack of communication etc.obligations like paying rents, mortgage repayments
Healthetc. The parents also stand chance of losing their
The children with parents who abuse drugs are foundjobs due to decreased ability to work. Also, the
to have number of health related issues. Parents whofamilies have to bear the cost towards treatment of
abuse drugs are more likely to have sudden moodthe drug addict parents due to various ailments which
swings, aggression, improper behavior which casts adisturbs the financial status of family. The further
lasting effect on children. Children can suffer fromeducation of children also hampers as parents put
stress related health problems like gastrointestinalmoney from resources to fund their drug addiction.
disorders, migraines, headaches, or asthma. There areAffection
also chances of children getting injured due to neglectParents who abuse drugs often show behavioral
from parents. Even drug abuse by mother duringproblems, personality disorders, depression etc. Such
pregnancy is associated with long term effects onmental condition affects the relationship, interaction,
the child. Some harmful effects on unborn childand social fabric between parents and children.
include brain deformities, growth irregularities,Parents who suffer from such problems will be in a
developmental issues, neonatal withdrawal syndrome,depressed state of mind, show less inclination
cognitive impairment, mental retardation etc. Thetowards communication and less affection for their
children in the drug abusing families suffer from otherchildren. Such children who receive less affection from
health problems due to maltreatment andtheir parents develop low self esteem, low
malnourishment arising out of neglect.confidence, insecurity etc.
EducationThe children of parents who abuse drugs also suffer
Drug abusing parents will also have disturbingfrom various emotional effects like mistrust, guilt,
consequences on academics of their children. Theshame, confusion, insecurity etc. Parental drug abuse
children are likely to suffer from learning disabilities,affects the overall development of the children as
academic deficiencies, poor performance at schools,parents suffer from unemployment, illnesses,
repeat more grades etc due to continuous unhealthydomestic violence, legal problems etc.
and stressful atmosphere at their homes. The children