Effect of Parent Addiction on Children

Effect of Parent Addiction on Children Antonio Latham Children of Parents with Addiction Drug and alcohol addiction is prevalent in America. Within the U.S., there has been an increasing emphasis and mounting research on how parental addiction impacts the lives of children (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). This alarm is being powered in part by the escalation of disturbing incidents involving extreme neglect and abuse that children of drug or alcohol addicted parented subject them to (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). Studies now show that children who reside with parents who suffer from any substance addiction are likely to be unstable, demonstrate severe emotional and behavioral issues (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). Moreover, this present great challenges for children matriculating through school (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). These children are frequently exposed to one or both substance dependent parents that are unstable and chaotic places where drugs and criminal activity occur regularly (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). For U.S. citizens working with such families and children, it is impo rtant to recognize substance abuse early and confront the difficult needs of parents with substance addiction and those of their children (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). Over the last several years, researchers and advocates of child’s rights have developed advanced strategies and programs that have facilitated innovative guidelines for a more efficient, cooperative, and holistic approach to helping the parent and child (Barnard McKeganey, 2004). This paper will analyze the behavioral, academic, and development problems associated with growing up in a household where a parent suffers from drug or alcohol addiction. Additionally, this paper will provide information on the connection between substance addiction and child neglect. It will also explore explains approaches for prevention, intervention, and treatment that including examples of effective programs and practices. Behavioral, Academic, Development Impact When mothers or fathers abuse substances, this greatly impact the behavioral, academic, and development growth of the children. Studies show that these children are more likely to suffer signs of depression and anxiety, experience mental instability and display conduct problems (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). All of these issues have both long-term and short-term effects; in which will determine the life trajectory these children will follow. Academically, these children often score lower on school academic exams and exhibit various signs of struggles in school such continued conflict with peers (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). Children of parents with addiction may demonstrate behaviors that are difficult for their addicted parents to effectively handle (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). This can produce unreliable parenting and the likelihood the child will be removed from their parental homes. Studies on children’s behavioral issues reveal that children of drug abusers exhibit some of the following characteristic: lack of compassion for other individuals; reduced social interaction and interpersonal engagement; low self-confidence; and defiance against authority (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). For proper development, children need positive social and emotional reinforcement, especially from their parents. Children are more capable of reaching their optimal potential if they experience steady, certain, enhanced, and motivating relations with their family and other relationships (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). A lack of this has been generally linked to developmental problems for the child. For instance, when a child suffers repeated instance of neglect from the parent, especially during the young developmental stages, activation of the stress response systems is severally damaged (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). The often result in the child responding to normal situations in a threatening or alarm manner (McKeganey, Barnard, McIntosh, 2002). Long-term Impact for Children Children of substance-addicted parents will often have lingering effects long into adulthood that will impact their maturity (Haggerty, Skinner, Fleming, Gainey, Catalano, 2008). Although it is important to note that not all children will experience long-term consequence, however, they may have an increased vulnerability. Parental substance addiction can have a plethora of long-term effects on their physical well-being (Haggerty et al, 2008). These include poor brain development and increased chances of obesity and malnutrition (Haggerty et al, 2008). The more instantaneous emotional effects of parental substance addiction produce feelings of loneliness, depression anxiety, and an unwillingness to trust (Haggerty et al, 2008). These can translate into permanent mental consequences in adulthood, including low self-worth, insecurity, and relationship problems (Haggerty et al, 2008). Research steadily reveals an increased probability that children who have lived with substance addicted parents will eventually take on negative habits such as smoking, abusing alcohol, or engaging in illegal drugs (Haggerty et al, 2008). Prevention Intervention Strategies To end the cycle of destruction and decrease the possibility of lasting effects, researchers agree that there must be continued development and implementation of methods to prevent substance addiction from occurring and dangerously effecting children (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). While experts concede that the causes of substance addiction and its effects on children are complex, it is probable to formulate prevention strategies that tackle recognized risk factors (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Prevention initiatives are best to thwart the onslaught of the mental and physical effects children are likely to have when growing up in a home where a parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol. The best prevention method is identifying children who live within these homes and provide support for both child and parent. Researchers encourage inspiring intellectual, emotional, societal, and physical experiences for children through various outlets (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). According to Fraser, McIntyre, and Manby (2009), prevention methods should first involve understanding important principles of healthy growth and development for children that will help to identify sensitive or possible threatening issues in homes and within the child. Academic institutions play a crucial role in prevention as well as intervention (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Schools should be adequately informed on application and testing of educational and prevention programs as well bringing additional awareness to the issue (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Once the issue has occurred, the next best course of action is intervention. Fraser, McIntyre, and Manby (2009) explains that because of the greater risks associated with parental substance addiction, it is especially significant for schools and child services personnel to thoroughly assess thoroughly the needs of the children to effectuate the most beneficial change. Intervention revolves around providing a home environment that is safe, predictable, and nurturing for the children (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Moreover, intervention should entail family-centered treatment programs that provide care for parents in facilities where children are allowed and are able to aid in the healing of parent and child (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Ultimately, proper intervention will use other family members without addiction issues to help restore balance and harmony within the child. Conclusion The body of research on children with addiction continues to grow and highlight many alarming issues, such as child abuse and neglect. This type of environment affects the child in many ways including behaviorally, academically, and developmentally (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). Though the effects may vary contingent on many variables, the potential for destruction create enough social panic for proper prevention and intervention strategies. Researchers are encouraging appropriate recognition and responses to this epidemic in a way that effect national policies (Fraser, McIntyre, Manby, 2009). It is vital for this nation to allocate as much resources as possible to the development and implementation of prevention and intervention tactics and services. References Barnard, M., McKeganey, N. (2004). The impact of parental problem drug use on children: what is the problem and what can be done to help?. Addiction, 99(5), 552-559. Fraser, C., McIntyre, A., Manby, M. (2009). Exploring the impact of parental drug/alcohol problems on children and parents in a midlands county in 2005/06. British Journal of Social Work, 39(5), 846-866. Haggerty, K. P., Skinner, M., Fleming, C. B., Gainey, R. R., Catalano, R. F. (2008). Longà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  term effects of the Focus on Families project on substance use disorders among children of parents in methadone treatment. Addiction, 103(12), 2008-2016. McKeganey, N., Barnard, M., McIntosh, J. (2002). Paying the price for their parents addiction: meeting the needs of the children of drug-using parents. Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 9(3), 233-246.

Independent Reading Reflection

Over the summer I read five books for a total of 1308 pages. I read three fiction novels and two realistic fiction novels. For me one of my favorite books was the Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, which I had been wanting to read and finally got around to it. Right from the start of the book, you could tell it would be a summer love story, but what I didn’t realize was how much you could feel just by how Nicholas Sparks described their feelings. As John went off to Germany for war, I could feel Savannah’s sadness and fear as she thought this could be the last time she could see him alive. Not to mention how hurt John was to come home to find Savannah happily married and moved on with a new life. Overall, I loved how descriptive Dear John was and how you could feel like you were falling in love, just like them. Even though his books are usually stereotypical, The Choice also by Nicholas Sparks was a great book I read this summer. Instead of summer romance, this time it was forbidden love. When neighbors Travis and Gabby start off with a heated argument, Gabby soon finds herself with a strange attraction to the fun-loving, wild Travis. One problem, she has a boyfriend, Kevin, whom she now has to choose between him and Travis as her love for him grows more and more. I loved this book because like Dear John, it had a love story but instead, it started out with hatred and disapproval of each other but slowly grew to their love. Also in The Choice, Nicholas Sparks used great description of feelings and sights. For example, parasailing high above the sound he described exactly what they saw and felt and I felt like I were right there with them a hundred feet above the water too. I can’t leave out that first night they met; Gabby was fuming at Travis when she thought his dog got her perfect, purebred collie pregnant. Not to mention the night Travis first kissed her and she suddenly thought what life could be like with Travis, instead of Kevin. I chose Dear John and The Choice as my favorite books from this summer because they both had great description and plot lines, even if you could somewhat predict the ending . I love when I can picture everything that is going on in a book and remember almost every detail, and these both did that for me.

Essay about Eating Disorders - Body Image in the Media

Body Image in the Media Plato once said, We behold beauty in the eye of the mind.... What some people consider beauty others may not. From the actresses that are shown on television, movies, models that are in magazines, and the pop stars that create hip and modern music videos, one could be under the impression that to be beautiful you must thin. Actresses such as Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Michelle Gheller, Clarista Flockheart, Courtney Cox and Debra Messing all have staring roles in their own television shows and are all extremely thin. The audiences of these shows being mostly women and adolescent girls, what kind of message about body image are they sending out? The stars of Hollywood are considered to be the†¦show more content†¦Many health problems may arise due to excessive weight. The other extreme, the anorexic look, can be just as unhealthy and just as unattractive. An anorexic individual is malnourished which can put a lot of strain on the heart. Since your body doesnt have fat to help keep warm, it produces more body hair. The emaciated appearance of an anorexic even looks unhealthy with the bags under the eyes, pale facial features and bony appearance. Hollywood is all about appearances and looking your best. Why is it that Hollywood portrays the image that in order to look your best, you have to be as thin as possible? Lets look at the cast of Friend, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox-Arquette, and Lisa Kudrow. Cox-Arquette, and Aniston, it seemed were almost having a weight loosing competition for the past couple of seasons. They both are beautiful, talented actresses. Their weight on the other hand, is very low. They both are stick figures and they seem to flaunt their perfect bodies on their show. They are always dressed in tight little outfits. On the show, they are shown as being happy and enjoying life. 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It has been documented in adolescents as they are more at risk for developing unhealthy attitudes toward their bodies. They are at a time where they re focused on developing their individual identities, making them susceptible to social pressure and media images. A major reason many people have a negative body image is because of the impact that media has had on

Human Rights Issues and Terrorism

The concept of human rights was first expressed in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which established recognition of the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.   Human rights are relevant to terrorism as concerns both its victims and its perpetrators. The innocent victims of terrorism suffer an attack on their most basic right to live in peace and security. The suspected perpetrators of attacks also have rights, as fellow human beings, in the course of their apprehension and prosecution. They have the right not to be subject to torture or other degrading treatment, the right to be presumed innocent until they are deemed guilty of the crime and the right to public trial. The War on Terror Focused Human Rights Issues The Al Qaeda attacks of September 11, the subsequent declaration of a global war on terror, and the rapid development of more stringent counter-terrorism efforts have pitched the issue of human rights and terrorism into high relief. This is true not only in the United States but in a number of countries who have signed on as partners in a global coalition to crack down on terrorist activity. Indeed, following 9/11 a number of countries that routinely violate the human rights of political prisoners or dissidents found tacit American sanction to expand their repressive practices. The list of such countries is long and includes China, Egypt, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. Western democracies with long records of an essential respect for human rights and institutional checks on excessive state power also took advantage of 9/11 to erode checks on state power and undermine human rights. The Bush Administration, as the author of the global war on terror has taken significant steps in this direction. Australia, the UK, and European countries have also found advantage in restricting civil liberties for some citizens, and the European Union has been accused by human rights organizations of facilitating the rendition—the illegal detention and transport of terrorist suspects to prisons in third countries, and where their torture is all but guaranteed. According to Human Rights Watch, the list of countries who found it to their benefit to use terrorism prevention to intensify their own crackdown on political opponents, separatists and religious groups, or to advance unnecessarily restrictive or punitive policies against refugees, asylum-seekers, and other foreigners immediately following the 9/11 attacks includes: Australia, Belarus, China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Russia, Syria, the United States, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. Human Rights for Terrorists Are Not at the Expense of Victims Rights The focus by human rights groups and others on the preservation of terrorist suspects human rights may seem jarring, or as if that focus comes at the expense of attention to the human rights of terrorisms victims. Human rights, however, cannot be considered a zero-sum game. Law Professor Michael Tigar put the issue eloquently when he pointed out  that governments, because they are the most powerful actors, have the greatest capacity for injustice. In the long term, an insistence that all states prioritize human rights and prosecute illegitimate violence is the best defense against terrorism. As Tigar puts it, When we see that the struggle for human rights in all the world is the surest and best means to prevent and to punish terrorism properly so-called, we then understand what progress we have made, and we will see where we need to go from here. Human Rights and Terrorist Documents The Universal Declaration of Human RightsHuman Rights Watch list of countries violating rights in the name of anti-terrorismHuman Rights and Terrorism Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/37Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism