Children and Spouses of the Addict

  Detrimental effects from parental addiction can have impact on the social and psychological development of children that can last long into adulthood.  Wives or husbands of addicts often find that their “family secret” keeps them from healthy interactions in the community, even among close friends. 

  The attention is usually on the addict, their lives and the effects of the addiction on them, but there are others who are suffering through these hardships right alongside the users.  Those are the children and spouses of the drinkers or users.

  Too often silent, these are the ignored and forgotten victims of alcoholism and other drug addiction.   Unable to fend for themselves, children of drug addicted parents are trapped in an environment that is unpredictably dangerous and sometimes terrifying.   The conflict and despair that goes on around them can be completely unstabalizing and have an impact that might last for many years after leaving the addicted household.      

  Adding to the harm, alcoholics and drug addicts usually work overtime finding reasons for their binges, justifications for their destructive behaviors.  They point the finger of guilt at anyone in the vicinity.  This “guilt” can be accepted by those around and often is, causing further, long range damaging effects.         

 For the sakes of the children and others in the household, treatment is needed.  The whole family will experience a tremendous relief when the user enters a rehabilitation program and that relief will continue as the group heals. 

 The main thing to keep in mind is that down inside the addict, the original person is still there, still somewhere underneath the drugs or drink and can be salvaged.   But the sooner it happens the easier it will be and the more chance there is for a full recovery.   Recovery for the addict and the family group alike.  

 These problems seldom correct themselves.  The addict cannot “cure” himself.  If there is denial of the problem, there are professionals called interventionists who can reach the user and help them to look at their lives and see what is really happening; to finally confront the changes that alcohol or meth or crack or whatever drug have caused. 

 The main thing to keep in mind is that down inside the addict, the original person is still there, still somewhere underneath the drugs or drink and can be salvaged.   But the sooner it happens the easier it will be and the more chance there is for a full recovery. 

Independence From Drugs

Call (888) 966-3784 and ask to speak to a counselor.