Introduction

This blog was created to discuss the effects substance abuse has on children. This information is based on research for the College of Lake County Introduction to Substance Abuse course.

Multiple Effects on Children

There are many different effects drug abuse can have on children, weather it’s the physical harm the child endures while in utero, or the more emotional and psychological problems they may experience seeing their parent using or being under the influence of drugs.

Children whose parents use drugs usually have a difficult time in school. They are likely to fail classes, drop out or get expelled. The lack of parental guidance can lead to psychological disorders that affect their performance in school. Younger children frequently show signs of anxiety and depression, including activities such as crying, wetting the bed, having nightmares or being afraid of going to school.

Children exposed to drug abuse at home also frequently witness domestic violence. This lifestyle can lead to confusion and insecurities, and as a result, cause them to work below their potential at school and other areas. These negative effects can continue into adulthood. That child may have difficulty coping and establishing healthy relationships as an adult.

Children may imitate the behaviors they see in their family. “Around 10 to 40 percent of adults who were abused when they were young are very likely to abuse their own children” (Parental drug abuse effects on children). Abused children may show signs of post traumatic stress disorder and may also become drug users themselves.

Some additional statistics about families, children and substance abuse:
- About 12 million Americans use illicit drugs (national committee to prevent child abuse, 1997)
- Substance abuse is the most common factor associated with abuse, approximately tripling the risk of abuse when other factors are controlled (national institute of mental health)
- About 4.3 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 use drugs
- 1.6 million women have children living with them.
- 400,000 of these women live with children younger than two (national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol information, 1995)
- Between 9-10 million children in the US live with parents who are substance abusers. (Mitchell and sawyer, 1991)

Parental drug abuse effects on children. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5427848_parental-drug-abuse-effects-children.html

Shah, Z. (2000). Parental Substance Abuse and Its Effects on Children. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.iowaepsdt.org/epsdtnews/2000/sum00/psa.htm

Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council. (n.d.) Retrieved November 20, 2009, from www.atdc.org.au/uploaded.../ATDCConference2008DBrokenshire.pdf

Cocaine use during pregancy

Using Cocaine while pregnant may lead to health problems in the child including heart defects, stroke, heart attack, irreversible brain damage, lifelong disabilities including mental retardation and cerebral palsy. The children also may have poor growth, low birth weight and smaller sized head leading to a smaller brain size.

Wikipedia. (2009). Retreived on November 20, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_cocaine

Triablogue. (2009). Retreived on November 20, 2009, from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC5QFfIYVTYe03t8VTmL9zMVheVEs0ySUhfH1NB2UwDQzNrT9z7x_yYcJ9atOGXO0MXjwEkgo0BTeoIwSsDkWqOBW6v_kv0s72p48BKGGWiFgmds5dB9JWI8qoJhCp6hRH3D2K2o2Un0/s400/baby.jpg

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain of a Fetus

This is the brain of a 6 week old child who was exposed to alcohol in utero (right) compared to the brain of a normal 6 week old (left). Alcohol use can cause severe brain damage.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. (2009). Retreived November 24, 2009, from http://www.acbr.com/fas/fasmain.htm