THE TRAUMA FOR CHILDREN OF ADDICTS AND ALCOHOLICS

Key Takeaways:

• There is a higher chance of mental health issues in children of alcoholics and drug addicts.
• The trauma of living with parents who are addicts can have a lasting impact on children, affecting their development, relationships, and overall well-being.
• Parents may take actions to aid in their children’s trauma recovery and resilience development.
• Being sober must be the priority for parents who want to help their children recover from the trauma of growing up with addiction.

More than 3.4 million children in the United States are growing up with alcoholic parents. One in four kids in this country is at risk of developing emotional and behavioral issues due to living with a drug addict or alcoholic parent. The trauma and stress of being raised in an environment marred with substance abuse can have long-lasting effects on the child’s health and development into adulthood.

In this blog, experts at Intravene will discuss signs of trauma in children and how you can help them overcome that trauma by being responsible parents.

SIGNS OF TRAUMA IN CHILDREN:

The trauma or stress of being raised by an addict or alcoholic can manifest in many ways.

SIGN 01: AVOIDANCE

The most common indicator that a child is suffering from trauma is avoidance. If your child is constantly trying to hide or avoid certain people, places, or activities, it may be because they are reminders of the trauma they have experienced.

SIGN 02: ANGER AND AGGRESSION

It is common for children who have experienced trauma to act out with anger and aggression. This may be due to feeling helpless and alone or feeling like they need to protect themselves from further harm. It’s critical to get professional assistance if they are displaying certain behaviors.

SIGN 03: RE-EXPERIENCING THE TRAUMA

For many children, the trauma they have experienced feels like it is happening all over again. This can happen through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts, which can be highly distressing to children and may make them feel like they are going crazy.

SIGN 04: CODEPENDENCY

Children of addicts or alcoholics often develop codependent relationships. This means that they become used to taking care of other people and putting their own needs last. Adults may find themselves in abusive or one-sided relationships because they do not know how to be any other way.

SIGN 05: DIFFICULTIES TRUSTING OTHERS

It can be challenging for children of addicts or alcoholics to trust other people. They have often seen their parent lie, cheat, or steal, making it difficult for them to trust anyone else. They could also have difficulty accepting that individuals can be trustworthy and dependable.

SIGN 06: PROBLEMS WITH SELF-ESTEEM

Children of addicts or alcoholics often have low self-esteem. They may feel they are not good enough or do not deserve to be happy. They may also feel shame and embarrassment because of their parent’s addiction.

HELP YOURSELF FIRST

If you are a parent struggling with addiction, please seek help. You can choose from various therapies and treatments to aid in achieving sobriety. Remember, with commitment and hard work, recovery is possible.

It’s challenging to overcome drug or alcohol addiction. After going through withdrawal symptoms and cravings, many people relapse and pick up their addictions again. But it is possible to overcome addiction and lead a clean life with the necessary assistance and therapy.

HELPING TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN OVERCOMING THEIR TRAUMA

GIVE YOUR CHILD THEIR FREEDOM BACK:

If you are a parent in addiction recovery, give your child their freedom back. Children require the freedom to be innocent, carefree, young, and whole. Children of addicts or alcoholics frequently lack independence because they hide in their bedrooms when their parents argue. They lack the autonomy to feel secure against mistreatment. As they grow tied to the anguish of witnessing their addicted parent suffer, these kids also frequently lack freedom, resulting in further loneliness, neglect, and nightmares.

Allowing your child to vent their rage, despair, and fear of their loved ones will aid in their healing. Allow your youngster the freedom to express their emotions. Do not listen to reply; instead, listen to understand them. Freedom allows them to invite a buddy over for a sleepover. Your child will regain their independence when drug misuse is eliminated from the household. Let them talk openly about their trauma and seek expert assistance.

GIVE YOUR CHILDREN THE LOVE THAT THEY DESERVE.

Children of addicts and alcoholics frequently believe that their needs are secondary and irrelevant. They often experience feelings of abandonment, rejection, and inadequacy. They think that alcohol or drugs are more important to their parents.

Addict parents also love their kids, even when abusing drugs, but it gets lost due to the parents’ inability to express it convincingly. All members of the family, especially your children, experience a loss of affection due to your active addiction acts. The immense harm and damage caused by offering your kids as a sacrifice on the altar of drugs and alcohol. Parents who struggle with addiction must first seek help and start the journey of healing for the whole family.

THE BEST THERAPY FOR DRUG ADDICTS AND ALCOHOLICS:

NAD IV therapy can help beat addiction. NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is one of living organisms’ most crucial molecules. Not only does it assist in converting food into energy, but it also protects DNA from deterioration and ensures proper cell function to prevent aging and disease in our bodies.

NAD IV therapy can help to:

• Reduce withdrawal symptoms
• Restore communication between cells
• Boost energy levels
• Enhance mental clarity

Your body probably has low levels of NAD if you are battling addiction or substance misuse. Your general health can be enhanced by restoring your NAD levels, encouraging cellular regeneration, and lessening cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

ENDING NOTE:

Setting your sobriety as a priority is crucial in assisting your child’s healing. In the end, your commitment to maintaining sobriety and understanding how you hurt your kids while altering your behavior will ensure that your children have a loving, encouraging, and healthy future.