Another Family Challenge is "Parent having alcohol/ drug problems"
Hello dear friends, Parents, and children, hope you are having a great day.
Parent having alcohol/ drug problems
If we are living with a parent or guardian who takes drugs is a really hard challenge for that family because it will affect the way they feel and act. It will affect the family life too. This challenge is different for each person and family, But here are some simple examples. So let us see if some of these challenges describe what you have experienced.
For this family challenge some people may feel like:
(1) Very worried about what is going to happen to their parent's health/safety
(2) Some may feel scared, unsafe, or alone in there home
(3) Some may feel frustrated and angry with their parent if they do not change
(4) Some will have to become an adult even before they are ready
(5) Some might become overwhelmed, depressed or anxious, which is not good for their health too.
(6) Some are ashamed or embarrassed, they might even get angry or sad about their parent's overusing drugs and alcohol.
How some people might act when they face this family challenge:
(1) The kids might start missing school, or they may have trouble handling or keep up with schoolwork or assignment.
(2) Some kids may avoid bring their friends home because they can never tell how their parents will act when they are with their friends.
(3) Some family members may argue/fight their parent or even harm themselves
(4) Some kids may start to handle tasks for adults.
(5) Some will try hard not to make their parent gets upset that drinks too much.
(6) Some kids will keep their feelings to themselves and their parents issue a secret to everyone.
(7) While some kids act like they do not care, even when they are hurting inside.
So how can this affect the family life?
The challenge can be different in a different family setting:
(1) It can cause parents to split up or divorce immediately or gradually.
(2) There children might have to live with relatives or somewhere else just for protection and be taken care of.
(3) Some parents might start neglecting, mistreating, or abuse their children in different ways.
(4) Some parents might have trouble keeping their jobs, making it hard to pay their bills and not to have enough money for food.
So what can a family do to fight this challenge?
Well if a family is having this challenge and you are living with a parent who has a drug/alcohol problem, you will be going through a tough time. What you need to do is reach out to people for your safety, for support, and help. You can do something like:
(1) You can open up to someone
(2) Do not blame yourself for the problem, because it is not your fault so that you can be strong emotionally to face the challenge.
(3) Try your best to build good habits and please find a safe place.
(4) Most important pray to God for help.