Substance abuse in the home impacts more than just the people using drugs or alcohol. When children are involved, the effects can be far-reaching and devastating. According to a new government report released last month, the number of children in this country’s foster care system has risen for the fourth consecutive year. One of the largest reasons for this uptick issubstance abuseby parents.
Parental Substance Abuse a Factor in Rising Foster Care Rates
Here is yet another statistic that demonstrated that America is currently losing the ongoing war on drugs. According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families’annual report, 40 percent of children are placed in the foster care system because of a parent’s abuse of drugs or alcohol.
In 36 percent of cases, a parent’s drug addiction was cited as the reason for a child’s removal from the home, and in 4 percent of cases, it was alcohol abuse. The states with the largest one-year increases in foster care populations were Georgia, Indiana, and West Virginia, which are all among states that are struggling with addiction issues. The ability of each state to handle the rising demand on its foster care system varies, which can place even more undue stress on children and their families.
The Impact of Substance Abuse in the Home
No parent believes that his or her substance use will lead to an overdose situation in front of the children, but these tragedies have been increasing in number. According to the CDC,91 people die each dayin this country from opioid-related overdoses. The United States Children’s Bureau estimates that about12 percent of childrenin the US are living with parents who have a substance use disorder.
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Prenatal exposure to drugs is one common issue when mothers use drugs during pregnancy. This has been linked to premature births, low birth weight, and physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral problems. When a parent uses drugs or alcohol to excess, he or she is unable to physically and emotionally care for children. A parent’s substance use disorder can impact parenting skills in several ways including:
- Parents may have difficulty managing their emotions, such as anger.
- Parents often put drugs and alcohol ahead of a child’s needs.
- There may be an absence of a healthy parent-child relationship.
- Financial and legal trouble affects an adult’s parenting ability.
Where Parents With Substance Abuse Issues Can Find Help
When children are removed from homes in which drug abuse occurs, it is generally for their protection. A child’s basic needs and welfare must come first, which are rarely priorities when a parent has an addiction issue. Even in homes where children are not mistreated, children with addicted parents have agreaterchanceof turning to drugs and alcohol themselves.
The good news is that many parents are able to reunite with their children by seeking help in a reputablesubstance abuse treatmentprogram. Both drug and family courts are coming together in many areas to address drug addiction among parents by encouraging a comprehensive rehab program followed by aftercare and support. The Recovery Village offers individualized addiction treatment programs with support for family and loved ones.Contact usnow to speak with of our addiction experts about how our compassionate services can help you break the chains of addiction.
