Statistics and Resources
Children need to be reminded that their parent’s addiction is not their fault.
They need to know they are not alone.
Important Information
Recent assessments find that more than 40% of the youth who need mental health services and 80% of youth who need substance abuse services are not receiving them. Without early and effective identification and interventions, childhood disorders can persist and lead to school failure, poor employment opportunities, poverty, and incarceration in adulthood.
Condemning parents does not necessarily help them or their children. Instead, the social stigma against addicts and alcoholics discourages parents and children from seeking help.
Children and young adults that have a parent with a substance use disorder are at a higher risk of physical, verbal, or sexual abuse.
Compared to others, children of substance abusing parents show increased rates of anxiety, depression, conduct issues, and aggressive behavior as well as lower rates of self-esteem and social competence.
