Child Abuse

For family and friends who are on the outside, it is more than frustrating to watch an addict slowly destroy his or her life.  But when one or more children are involved, the situation can become exponentially alarming.  Children of addicts have a greater risk of being neglected physically, emotionally, and financially.  Just by being exposed to the addict on a daily basis, children are likely to pick up on the addict’s dysfunctional ways of communicating, thinking, and interacting with others, which can have negative effects for the short term (e.g., poor school performance, defiant behavior) and long term (e.g., being in dysfunctional adult relationships, developing an addiction themselves) (Read more about the Legacy of Addiction).  Perhaps the most alarming consequence of addiction and parenthood is the prevalence of child abuse.

How Many Addicts Abuse Their Children?

Keep in mind that neglect can, itself, be considered a type of abuse.  By giving financial priority to obtaining drugs or alcohol instead of using a family’s resources to advance the welfare of a child, any addict is arguably guilty of neglect.  However, this type of abuse aside, research has found that the substance that is causing the addiction can increase the risk for more direct types of abuse.  For example, cocaine addiction has been linked to elevated risk for sexual abuse; by contrast, alcoholic parents are more likely to engage in physical forms of child abuse.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, roughly 50% to 80% of reported instances of child abuse are related to substance use. 

How Many Parents Are Addicts?

Remember that being an addict does not necessarily mean the parent is also hitting a child or abusing them in other ways.  According to a 2002 survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 16% of youth aged twelve to seventeen are living with mothers who abuse drugs or alcohol. As many as 5 million households in the United States have both (at least one) substance-abusing parents and (at least one) minor child living in them.  By gender, 8% of fathers and 4% of mothers abuse drugs or alcohol (a number that is lower than similar addictive behaviors in the general population), as reported by 2001 SAMHSA data.

What Should I Do If I Suspect That a Child Is Being Abused By An Addict Parent?

If the situation is grave and the child or children are in immediate danger, contact law enforcement or social services.  If you are not sure but have strong reason to suspect an abusive situation, continue to monitor the child’s physical and emotional well-being as well as to document events that confirm your concerns.  Speak with others who may have noticed a problem including teachers and doctors. Be careful when approaching the spouse or partner of the addict; if they are in a codependent relationship, they may be intentionally ignoring the addict’s behavior.  You can also ask the child directly, but, depending on their age, you may need to research age-appropriate ways of having them communicate their feelings like drawing or role-playing.  Children are often too afraid to go against their parents, especially if an abuser has threatened them or their loved ones to preserve secrecy.  If your gut says something is wrong, speak up because there is no guarantee that anyone else will.