Question

Substance abuse affects the entire family. Discuss the behaviors that in children of a substance-abusing parent at the following ages: 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, 12 years, 16 years, and 30 years.

Answer 1

Substance abuse refers to addiction, is a process of taking drugs that are not legal or the OTC drugs in excess. The common drugs used in drug abuse are alcohol, heroin,cocaine, opioid drugs. Substance abuse has a positive impact on family and the society. The activity of the substance abuse person creates feelings of anxiety,anger,rejection,depression,guilt on the family members. The work productivity of the person decreases and it may results in loss of job. This reinforce antisocial behavior of the person in the society.

In family having infants (6 months) : Trust is considered as the key word during the infant developmental stage. It impacts the cognitive and emotional development of the infant. If the mother exposed prenatally to substance abuse it results in low birth weight, feeding difficulties, restriction or decrease in cognitive and physical development. Substance abuse mother creates a gap between mother child bonding that increases the risk of reduction in child development and behavior outcomes.As the child grows with mistrust it will creates various psychosocial disorders like isolation,withdrawal.

In toddler the child os in a psychosocial stage of development Autonomy vs doubt. Parenting style is important in moulding children behavior. Effects of bad parenting secondary to substance abuse results in development of antisocial behavior, depression,aggression and poor adaptation.Toddler is the stage the children will imitate their parents , parents fighting,smoking,consuming alcohol,taking illicit drugs in front of the children will leads to mental depression and abuse of drugs by the children in near future.