Written by Naomi Viesca, Staff Writer
Addiction: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 25 percent of American kids grow up in households where substance abuse is present.
Parents’ addictions have an effect on the kids in the household, whether it be an addiction to technology, work, or a drug.
Children pick up on things as they get older and eventually will realize that what the parent is doing is not good, which could lead to the child following in their parents’ footsteps because he or she thinks the behavior is okay and normal.
If the parent is using substances, it could affect how the child performs at school. They may not do their work or pay attention in school because they may feel like they don’t need to. Also, they may not want to go home because home is a toxic place where nothing may seem important.
According to The American Addiction Centers, children of alcoholics face risks of mental health trauma and substance abuse in their own adult years. They are also more likely to marry an alcoholic or abusive spouse later in life and have dif culty dealing with stress. Growing up in that type of environment is a very toxic place for a child or adult of any age.
If a parent is addicted to technology, children may nd it okay for them to always be on their phone or technical device. Being on technology for long periods of time can hurt their eyesight and cause other complications.
A parent needs to realize that their addictions can cause issues with their children even if they don’t see or realize it, and in some ways it’s affecting their physical and mental health.