When a loved one suffers from addiction, it can have just as much of an influence on your life as it does on the addicts. This is especially true if the loved one is a parent or a close relative. Children of addicts within a family are undoubtedly the most affected by addiction. This is particularly true if the addict’s children are still growing up. Unless you’re young or elderly, it’s difficult to cope as the child of an addict. Addiction has the potential to destroy a family. A parent is a glue that ties a family together; if they are addicts, the children must mature and become the house’s adults. This can have a significant negative impact on children’s mental health.
What are the Feelings of an Addict’s Children?
Children look up to their parents as role models. Parents who become addicted to drugs or alcohol, on the other hand, are only concerned with themselves. Understanding that addiction is a disease is crucial for children of addicts. This is because long-term substance misuse changes the chemistry of an addict’s brain. As a result of this, an addict’s brain is rewired over time as a result of their substance misuse. As a result of their addiction, addicted parents exhibit poor judgment and decision-making, a lack of self-control, and deviant behavior choices.
What Can Children Do to Assist Parents Who are Battling Addiction?
Drug and alcohol addiction can have both short- and long-term impacts. Substance misuse can disrupt even the calmest and most loving relationships. When family members quarrel, it becomes commonplace. The level of trust begins to erode. If a relative who consumes illegal substances acts angrily or hides their condition in secrecy, relatives may grow concerned.
Marriages may disintegrate as a result of addiction-related changes. Communication gets more difficult as displeasure is highlighted. In addition, children often take a step back from their parents to separate themselves from them. Family members may observe their loved ones endure the negative effects of drugs or erupt into rages while inebriated. Others may notice that their relatives have lost weight and are no longer recognizable.
How Can I Help an Alcoholic Parent?
Parents are blessings, so if they are addicts it is your responsibility to help them recover. Here are some of the things you can do to help them.
Be Supportive
A person suffering from drug or alcohol addiction needs the support and love of family members. They need someone who will understand what they are going through. As a child, one should make sure that you are fully aware of the supportive needs of your parent.
Talk to your Parent
Talking helps a lot. An addict thinks that everyone is trying to distance themselves from them and sometimes an addict feels like someone is trying to talk to them they will appreciate it. Children of addicts should make sure to spend some time with their parents.
Encourage Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment is the only way to treat drug and alcohol addiction. Children of addicts should be aware that to help their parents they should make sure that their parents start an addiction treatment program near them. Here are some addiction treatments that you can recommend to your parents:
- Dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Medicated-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Inpatient
- Outpatient or Intensive Outpatient addiction treatment
- Telehealth Addiction Treatment Program
Telehealth addiction treatment is a new form of treatment where a patient can receive treatment while being in their own homes. So if your parent avoids or doesn’t want to leave home for addiction treatment, suggest they get Telehealth addiction treatment.
Avoid Fighting with Parent
There is no need to fight with your parents. They are already going through a very tough time. Try to avoid any sort of confrontation with them.
Make your Parent Feel Wanted
Addicts need their children to make them feel wanted. Spend some time with them everyday. Take them out and have a nice dinner every once in a while.
In The End…
An addict’s brain is rewired, and quitting addictive substances is more difficult than it appears. When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, his or her brain becomes fully reliant on them to function. As a result, when addicts cut back or stop taking opioids, they may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Because they are terrified of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, addicts are sometimes discouraged from attempting sobriety. As much as you may despise your parent for acting the way they do and refusing to seek treatment, you must respect their decision. Simply take a deep breath and recognize that your parent is afflicted with an ailment over which they have no control.
