Addiction is rife in society at present. Across the UK around half of adults drink on at least one day of each week, which of course is perfectly reasonable if drinking responsibly, but there are more and more people who are developing problematic relationships with the substance.
What’s even more worrying is that it’s affecting many parents too. For children, growing up with a parent who struggles with addiction can be an incredibly challenging experience, shaping their world and having a profound impact on their upbringing.
No parent wants to have such an impact on their child, but it can be difficult to see you have a problem and need alcohol rehab recovery not just for the benefit of them, but yourself too. That’s why it’s important to regularly assess our relationship with alcohol and get the help we need if we need it, otherwise your child could be growing up with the following troubles…
The Emotional Toll
One of the more significant effects on children growing up in an addicted household is the emotional burden it puts on them. Addiction is known to lead to erratic behaviour, mood swings and neglect, with priorities on the substance they’re addicted to rather than the responsibilities of parenting.
A child can go through a wealth of emotions as a result of their parent’s addiction, including confusion, anxiety, depression or even feeling responsible for their parents actions. They can also feel shame and isolation, particularly given the stigma around addiction, which can make them go to great lengths to hide the reality of their home life from teachers, friends and other family members in fear of judgement.
Lack of Stability and Routine
An important part of any child’s life is having stability and routine. However, that is very difficult when a parent is living with addiction. Any person living with an addiction of any sort struggles to maintain consistent routines and that’s especially the case when it comes to looking after children. They will struggle with things like preparing meals, helping with homework or even attending school events.
What tends to happen is that children then start to take on adult responsibilities too soon, like doing household chores, caring for siblings or even intervening in their parent’s behaviour!
What’s more, addiction can also lead to financial instability, which can lead to the likes of job loss, legal issues and leaving little money for household essentials that your child requires.
The Impact on Relationships
Ultimately, that parent child relationship will be different as a result of addiction, and that can go well into later life too. Trust issues are likely to develop, often down to broken promises, dishonesty and erratic behaviour, while it can also affect relationships with others too, making it very difficult to rely on people or have fears of abandonment.
Due to the parentification of children at a young age for those with addicted parents, it can also often lead to children wanting to “fix” others as adults and not prioritise their own needs.
The Risk of Repeating the Cycle
Growing up with an addicted parent can increase the likelihood of substance abuse issues later in life. Exposure to addiction at a young age normalises substance use and may lead to experimentation, especially if a child turns to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. Genetics also play a role in addiction susceptibility, making some children more vulnerable to developing similar struggles.
However, while the risk of repeating the cycle exists, it is not inevitable. Many children of addicted parents actively choose to break the pattern, seeking healthier ways to cope with their past experiences. Support networks, therapy, and education about addiction can all help prevent a child from following the same path as their parent.