How Addiction Affects Children

Addiction can take a huge toll on your children, so it is best to keep in mind how the effects of your addiction or a family member’s addiction can have an impact on the children. Children who grow up in a home where addiction is present are eight times more likely to develop an addiction of their own. Genetics and environment both contribute to the development of addiction.

There are also psychological effects that occur with children who are surrounded by addiction. Children will learn early on to keep secrets or lie due to the feeling of shame in their family member’s addiction. Shame can come in many ways as well, such as: shame for having to keep secrets from friends and other family members, and shame because they are embarrassed and feel as though they don’t fit in.

Children may also feel guilty because they do not quite comprehend addiction and may think that it is their fault. They may feel guilty because they think that they do not make their mom or dad happy if the parent is the one with an addiction. They may feel guilty that they cannot help as well.

It is very important that the children of addicted families have someone close that they can regularly talk to, or get counseling. Children of addiction will always remember the difficult situation; however, they can be helped to turn the negative into a positive for their personal life, so that they do not fall into addiction. Educating children of addiction can help save their lives.

If you are a victim of addiction or someone you know is suffering with an addiction, it is never too late to get help. Call our addiction helpline at 1 (412) 822-0065 and let us help you.