Millions of young adults and children all over the world suffer the turmoil and dysfunction of living with a parent who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. If one or both of your parents are enslaved to substance abuse, it can embarrass, frustrate, hurt, anger, and even put your security at risk.
There are people who were raised by parents who are admired by people in the community. However, the parents were actually closet or high-functioning addicts, and at home, their children were subjected to emotional, verbal, and even physical abuse. So if you’re one of these children, how can you cope?
What is behind the addiction?
As a young child who are witnesses to the addiction early in your life, you may have questioned why your parents somehow treat you differently, or act differently compared to other parents.
It helps to look deeper into your parents’ addiction. Find out what the addiction is, its effects, and why your parents may have been addicted. This will help you gain relevant insight into what your parents are going through.
For example, someone who is addicted to drugs isn’t someone who goes to buy it and use over and over again because he or she enjoys it. At first, he or she may use drugs as a way to escape, and with repeated use, it becomes a compulsion. It may also be linked to anxiety or depression.
Whatever the case, they may need help to be able to break free from addiction.
As a child of an addict
As a child of an addict, you may, unfortunately, need to change and manage your expectations. As addiction is a disease, you have to look beyond your parents’ shortcomings as their abilities as parents may be limited. Instead of harboring resentment, you should view the addiction as a crippling disease and seek help for them to heal.
What else can you do?
1. Remember that it’s not your job to take care of your parents and shield them from the repercussions of their addiction.
2. Encourage your parents to seek help by first sitting down with them (when they are sober),
3. Pick your battles. When trouble is brewing in your household, leave the scene. Don’t get in the middle of a quarrel, but be sure you don’t resort to counter-productive and destructive measures as well.
4. What you’re feeling is normal. Don’t kick yourself or be guilty for any resentment, hurt, embarrassment, repulsion, or anger that you feel. However, keep in mind that they are your parents and you have to honor and respect them.
5. Don’t lose sight of what’s normal. Growing up with a dysfunctional household with addicted parents may make you have a different standard when it comes to what is normal. However, keep yourself grounded and surround yourself with positive people.
6. Seek help for yourself by having someone, preferably a trusted and responsible adult, to turn to when things are really getting tough.
Do you have parents who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, or gambling? Seek help today. Call or text us at 09175098826.
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