Growing up in a family where one or more of the adults are addicted to prescription drugs or even alcohol can be quite a challenge. Such experiences affect the emotional, physical and cognitive personality of children. Here are some painful realities children encounter who grow up in an atmosphere of addiction and sometimes mental illnesses too.

Always avoiding having friends over

In a dysfunctional family, everything is disorderly. Therefore, children growing up in such families become over anxious and fearful. They detest calling their friends over to their place because the atmosphere at home can get turbulent any time. Having a friend over and realizing that the elders are stoned can be embarrassing for such children.

Hypersensitivity towards any sort of addiction

Growing up in an atmosphere of addiction can make a child extremely resistant toward any sort of addiction. These children exhibit staunch control when they are offered to try a puff of nicotine or weed by their chilled out friends or when they are offered a glass of wine during prom nights. They try remaining at an arm’s length from any addictive substance.

Being a control freak with loved ones

Children of parents addicted to substances reach maturity at quite a young age because they are left with no choice but to fix everything on their own when the adults are in their world of addiction, oblivious of everything. These children have to manage many household chores, do groceries, take care of their younger siblings, constantly try to dissuade the parents from taking drugs, etc. Therefore, when they grow into adults , they often come across as control freaks and dominant with friends and other relationships. They are so antagonistic to any sort of addiction that they might completely alienate themselves from even the closest of friends or a partner if they suspect them to be on substances.

Always feeling incapable

Children living with the adults who are hooked on drugs have a messed up childhood. They constantly try to talk to their parents about the perils of addiction and how it might be affecting their health, the household expenses, the social interactions, etc. However, despite putting in such unrelenting efforts, nothing changes and addiction continues to prevail. This fosters a deep sense of insecurity in these children and they start believing that no matter how hard they try, they will never be good enough for anything in life.

Compromising on education and comforts and joy of family life

The mechanics of the dysfunctional families are skewed up. The adults are so much into their addiction and addiction-seeking obsession that they give two hoots to the need of providing for their children in terms of quality education, healthy food and several other facilities and securities that a child needs while growing up.

Road to recovery

Addiction is a malady that can ruin families. TV film “Homeless to Harvard,” released in 2003, was based on a true story about Liz Murray. The movie showed how the protagonist (a young girl who played Liz Murray) had a difficult time in her family because her parents were addicted to substances. The protagonist tried her best to talk sense to her mother but to no avail and ultimately, she lost both her parents. Then begins her arduous journey of being a homeless to being in a care system and during that time, it dawned upon her that it was about time she did something constructive with her life. She completed her school in a record time and through an essay writing competition won a scholarship to the Harvard University.

Addiction is a chronic mental health disorder that can ruin the lives of an individual and his or her loved ones. However, one can still rise from the ashes like a Phoenix and take full charge of the life, like Murray. In case you know someone who is struggling with an addiction and needs help, contact the Prescription Drug Abuse Helpline. The experts can connect you to state-of-the-art prescription drug abuse treatment centers where holistic recovery programs are provided in a serene environment. You can call us at our 24/7 helpline number 866-450-1557 or chat online with our counselor to get details about the best prescription drug abuse treatment clinic near you.

 

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