How To Help Children and Youth Affected By A Parental With An Addiction
Alcoholism; Drugs; Food; Gambling; Shopping; Pornography; Sex; Violence; Workaholism
Children & youth need a great deal of extra support when one or both parents have addictions of any kind. Addictions rob children & youth of their parents’ time, attention, connection. Addicted parents often model harmful behaviors and communication styles. Parental addictions make for a chaotic, unpredictable life for children & youth. Family energy is centered mainly on the parent’s needs and not the needs of the child or youth. Having an addicted parent can make living, learning and achieving very difficult. All addictions are hard on children and youth. Children & youth of addicted parents may engage in unsafe behaviors such as: risk taking, unsafe sex, violence, substance abuse, gang membership. The impact of parental addictions on children & youth are often complicated by a combination of: genetic factors; emotional and/or physical discomfort caused by unhealed accidents, traumas, shocks, and abuses of all kinds (physical, emotional, sexual, intellectual); poverty; physical and/or mental illness; nutritional imbalances; exposure to environmental pollutants; family communication patterns; the child or youth’s own addictions.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Nature • Pets |
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For Parents: • If you are the addicted parent – get help – for the love of your child or youth. • If you are the non-addicted parent, get help as well. • Fortunately, Twelve Step Programs for every addiction and for family members can be effective. The programs exist all over the world. • Local health departments, medical teams, religious organizations and phone book directories can help you locate a program. Most cities have Twelve Step programs for families of people with addictions. • Let your love of your child or youth give you the strength to work the program. • Break the habit so your child or youth will not have to suffer. • Have daily family enjoyable physical exercise. • When possible, make amends to your child or youth for the chaos they have had to live through. |