News / Education
Millions of Children Live With Drug Addicts
More Than One In Ten Children in the U.S. Live With Substance-Abusing or Substance-Dependent Parent
Many understand that if a parent is abusing drugs or alcohol, these effects will be felt by the children involved.
What is not commonly known is the amount of children affected by drug addiction or alcoholism:
An estimated 8.3 million children (11.9%) live with at least one parent (biological, step-, adoptive, or foster) who had abused or was dependent on alcohol or an illicit drug in the past year, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Younger children were slightly more likely than older children to live with a substance-abusing or –dependent parent (14% vs. 10%; see figure below).
"Clearly drug addicts affect those around them," comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. "What is sad is that such a large percentage of children are affected by alcohol abuse and drug addicts. Children are known to follow in their parent's footsteps; what message does it give children to see a close family member high or drunk? Not a good message at all."
Since “substance use disorders can have a profound influence on the lives of individuals and their families, particularly their children,” the authors believe that these findings “highlight the potential breadth of needs for the whole family—from substance abuse treatment for the affected adults to prevention and supportive services for the children”.
Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia provides drug education as well as effective drug rehab. Someone suffering from drug addiction or alcohol addiction needs help. Get them the help they need.
*Source: University of Maryland, College Park The Center for Substance Abuse Research
Call Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia at 1-877-413-3073.
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