It is
estimated that 1 in 10 children in the United States have a parent that is an
alcoholic. The problems
for a child of an alcoholic or drug addict can start before they are even born.
A report by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
on the prenatal effects of alcohol, lists 30 separate types of brain and
neurological damage in babies, including tremors,
seizures, brain cysts, deficiency in motor skills, and other mental or physical
problems – all brought about by alcohol consumption of pregnant mothers.
The negative
effects of alcohol (and cigarettes) during pregnancy have been well-documented
for some time, but not as well-publicized are the harmful effects of prescription
psychoactive drugs taken by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Studies have
shown that psychotropic drug use – antidepressants, SSRIs, Cymbalta, Lexapro,
Zoloft, etc. – can produce similar effects to alcohol abuse, including brain damage, birth defects, infant withdrawal
symptoms, premature birth, and even death.
This is information every parent should
know, not to frighten, but to educate. It is through knowledge and education
that we begin to combat the devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
Drugs,
crime and broken homes work together to form a harsh backdrop for all-too-many
of our youth, and it’s not confined to the inner city. No one is immune. A
child looks to the parent as an example for how to act and behave. If the
mother or father uses drugs to “deal” with life, what solution will the child
turn to when things get rough? So, the question remains, how do we address drug
addiction or alcoholism on the part of a parent?
·
Communicate.
You’ll have to get the facts from the parent. The point is not to interrogate,
but get him or her talking about it. You’ll have to avoid the urge to argue or
accuse. Just talk about what has been going on.
·
Causes.
There can be a physical or mental addiction – or both. As you continue to
communicate, the underlying reasons will eventually show up. Some turn to drugs
to escape from life. Some addictions, such as painkillers and prescription drug
abuse, can come about more or less accidentally. A drug prescribed for an
injury or mental condition can lead to a nasty addiction.
·
Intervention.
This may be a necessary step for some. An honest appeal from loved ones can be
enough to open one’s eyes. Some believe you’ll have to wait for “rock bottom”
for many addicts. Rock bottom for an addict is often death. 70 deaths per day
are brought about by drug overdose. Do we really want to wait for our loved one
to end up a statistic? When it comes to abuse, the time to act is always now.
·
Education.
To prevent children from sliding into the mire of drug abuse, it is necessary
to educate. The same is true of adults. Don’t assume they “know already.” It’s
not just street drugs. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise today and
ignorance is largely to blame. Educate!
·
Rehabilitate.
Once you have a semblance of agreement from the individual that something must
be done about it, start to look at your rehabilitation options. Prescription
drug abuse can be even trickier these days than street drugs. Some people are
on a cocktail of multiple psychiatric drugs. You can’t go “cold turkey” on
these substances. The result can be violent. You have to taper it down on a
gradient approach. There are home programs, out-patient, and in-patient
programs. The end result of rehab should be the person not dependent on any drug
whatsoever. The holistic approach involves the
various physical, mental, social and spiritual factors that can all
come into play for an individual. Whatever program is chosen, it must be right
for that person.
Through the
above steps, we can help a parent – or anyone for that matter – get through
those factors that hold addiction in place, and emerge a happier, healthier and
brighter person. Being a parent can be the greatest joy in a person’s life.
Let’s not allow that to be ruined through drug addiction or alcoholism. By
working together, we can bring that joy back!
Sources for this article:
No comments:
Post a Comment