the parents’ Substance abuse or are at fault in some way if the family comes to the attention of authorities. Sometimes these children must contact medical personnel in the case of a parent’s overdose, or they may be left supervising and caring for younger children when their parents are absent while obtaining or abusing substances. Social Stigma Adults who abuse substances may engage in behaviors that embarrass their children and may appear disinterested in their children’s activities or school performance. Children may separate themselves from their parents by not wanting to go home after school, by not bringing friends to the house, or by not asking for help with homework. These children may feel a social stigma attached to certain aspects of their parents’ lives, such as unemployment, homelessness, an involvement with the criminal justice system, or substance abuse treatment. Adolescent Substance Use and Delinquency Adolescents whose parents abuse substances are more likely to abuse substances themselves. Some adolescents mimic behaviors they see in their families, including ineffective coping behaviors such as using drugs and alcohol. Many of these children also witness or are victims of violence. It is hypothesized that substance abuse is a coping mechanism for such traumatic events. Moreover, adolescents who use substances are more likely to have poor academic performance and to be involved in criminal activities. The longer children are exposed to parental substance abuse, the more serious the negative consequences may be for their overall development and well-being. Source: Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders, ICF International 2009, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau Office on Child Abuse and Neglect Slide 11.6.142 Notes: Handout: Consequences of Substance Abuse
the parents’ Substance abuse or are at fault in some way if the family comes to the attention of authorities. Sometimes these children must contact medical personnel in the case of a parent’s overdose, or they may be left supervising and caring for younger children when their parents are absent while obtaining or abusing substances. Social Stigma Adults who abuse substances may engage in behaviors that embarrass their children and may appear disinterested in their children’s activities or school performance. Children may separate themselves from their parents by not wanting to go home after school, by not bringing friends to the house, or by not asking for help with homework. These children may feel a social stigma attached to certain aspects of their parents’ lives, such as unemployment, homelessness, an involvement with the criminal justice system, or substance abuse treatment. Adolescent Substance Use and Delinquency Adolescents whose parents abuse substances are more likely to abuse substances themselves. Some adolescents mimic behaviors they see in their families, including ineffective coping behaviors such as using drugs and alcohol. Many of these children also witness or are victims of violence. It is hypothesized that substance abuse is a coping mechanism for such traumatic events. Moreover, adolescents who use substances are more likely to have poor academic performance and to be involved in criminal activities. The longer children are exposed to parental substance abuse, the more serious the negative consequences may be for their overall development and well-being. Source: Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders, ICF International 2009, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau Office on Child Abuse and Neglect Slide 11.6.142 Notes: Handout: Consequences of Substance Abuse
CoreMod11-PG061814.docx