Children of Drug Addicted Mother and Risk - Coursework Example

Children of Drug Addicted Mother and Risk" Index Introduction Fetal Stage Behavioral Effects Social Consequences Emotional Consequences Psychological Impact Media Influence Conclusion References Abstract Augmentation in stress, career, social status or dejection of any kind may lead to development of addiction, a dependence of an individual on various mood altering agents like drugs including marijuana; alcohol, opioids, stimulating agents, narcotic agents, depressants, inhalants and hallucinogenic agents. Addiction to these agents not only affect the individuals personal as well as social life but also affect the family to a greater extent, especially the young children. Although, occasional drinking may not turn out to be injurious, but if happening on a regular basis to relieve stress it becomes detrimental (Feaster, 1996; Werner, 1986). As mother is more close to children, nurturing and fostering the kids is influenced to a larger extent. In a past couple of decades an enormous rise in the drug addiction has been observed in pregnant as well as non-pregnant females and also in mothers. The implications could be seen in the form of poor self esteem of the children, altered behaviour and development pattern when compared to other children belonging to non-addicted mothers. Moreover, the contaminated drug also serves as a source of microbial infection which may result in chemical poisoning in children. For instance, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to lifelong physical, neurological and behavioral defects coined as FASD, a problem that affects families and communities of all ethnicities and backgrounds, in all societies If such an incidence is reported during pregnancy then it directly affects the fetus. The present article highlights the condition and the risk associated with the children belonging to the addicted mothers. Introduction The impact of drugs and alcohol addiction in parents is enormous on children. The influence onsets in the womb when the child is not born and lasts all through the life of the child even when the child is not in touch with the parents. The impact not only hampers the biological development of the child but also hampers cognitive and psychological development as well as they are also associated with the natural development, which if disrupted results in emotional as well as mental predicaments. As mother is the soul of the child and the bond between mother and the child is eternal, the entire psychology of the child is affected if mother is addicted. Children born to such mother face complications right from their fetal stages. Addiction of any kind make the mothers unstable and they are unable to maintain contacts with the doctor for routine checkups or follow-ups, persistence of this attitude load the future of child with uncertainties (Sardeman et al, 1976). As mother plays a pivotal role in the life of a child, and witnesses various stages of the childs development right from inception to fetal development; birth of the child; nurturing the child through infancy to a grown-up individual. All these stages contribute equally in refining and defining the personality of an individual. A well nurtured child is bound to be successful in every walk to life while on the other hand if the mother is less attentive or herself is victim of any abuse it affects the development of the child to a greater extent. Dealing with the cases of addiction is complicated and it becomes even more when children are implicated. Parents involved in substance abuse may deliberately or innocently bring numerous situations of predicament for their wards encompassing- Fetal Stage If mother consumes drug such as cocaine during pregnancy it influences the school performance of the child. Children belonging to such mothers have poor concentration, distraction for a longer duration. Consumption of alcohol in any form may lead to the development of FAD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) resulting in birth defects involving defects to the heart, kidneys, eyes and ears therefore resulting in behavioral problems and learning difficulties (Goodlett, 2005). Various physical effects which are observed in children belonging to the drug addicted mothers besides Fetal alcohol syndrome, comprise impact of opioids, PCP, LSD and cocaine on infants and newborns, Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome, SIDS, premature delivery, growth retardation, neglect, child abuse, child disregard, nervousness, overwhelmed temperament, a desire to satisfy or entertain others, constant fear, despair, weariness, no significance of delightful actions (Capaldi, 2008). Behavioral Effects Observation reveals that drug addicted parents are more aggressive and have unhappy married life and in majority of the cases marriage results in divorce. Separation of parents influence the behaviour of the child and can hamper the performance in school as well as social standing. Drug addiction leads to a condition of being in euphoria as cocaine and morphine remain in the body for longer duration to provide the effect. Consumption of drugs besides being illegal it also inculcates aggression, children belonging to such mothers develop eating disorders, depression which in certain cases generates suicidal tendency especially when children find their mother not to be attentive to their needs as compared to the mothers of non-addictive children. If mother is working then it may lead to unemployment, higher incidence of domestic violence is observed in such families and parents instead of providing effective parenting, undergo legal issues. Children remain unattended and are liable for sexual and physical abuse. Children belonging to such families have lower self-esteem and find themselves helpless to deal with any situation because their mother is inattentive to their problems. Stressful home atmosphere also lead to poor school performance, learning disabilities, poor concentration and poor grades, absenteeism or expulsion from the school (Holt, 2011) Children belonging to such mothers display temper tantrums, poignant explosions, violent behavior, burglary and untruthful temperament, hyperactive predisposition with a imperfect concentration duration, incapability, impulsiveness, independent outlook, attention seeking conduct, chances of children becoming addict to substances becomes higher (Capaldi, 2008). Social Consequences Children belonging to addicted mothers remain ignored as little attention is being provided to them, they generally lack understanding towards relationship and its importance, the concept of family is lacking and children display abnormal behavior either over-possessiveness for a friend or withdrawal of friendship, they become highly touchy about things and their belongings they seek pleasure in other things and are likely to become soft target for sexual abuse. Children belonging to addicted mothers remain stay unfriendly as they have fear of peer bullying and if someone says anything about their family or mother they are likely to become aggressive (Capaldi, 2008). Emotional Consequences Children belonging to the addicted mother are reported to display far more depression as compared to the children belonging to the non-addicted mothers. They undergo frequent attacks of anxiety and distress. they feel dejected and have flashes of the incidence as well as happening of the family. They severely display post traumatic stress disorder and restless sleep. Children belonging to such mothers have fear and feel frightened to a greater extent. Their psychology is harmed, they are least bothered about themselves but they have a worry and concern that the mother may become sick or die due to consumption of drugs. As a result they fear in bringing or asking their friends to come to their home as they do not want to reveal that peers should see their mother consuming drugs as well as abnormal behaviour of the mother either very high or low or drunk. Such an attitude of mother may result in ignorance by their peers as well as their parents may advise them to stay away from the children whose mother is addicted and have troubled family. In certain cases children blame themselves for being the cause of mother taking drugs and setting off an episode of drug intake in their parents (Holt, 2011). A feeling of shame inculcated in the mind of child, distrust towards everyone, child may always be confused, display fear of losing something or fear of ill-treatment, ambivalent nature and guilt are some of the key features being displayed by the child (Capaldi, 2008). Psychological Impact Addiction of mother have harmful impact on the psychology of the child which in certain cases bring irreparable damage to the childs psychological development. Parents neglect makes the child self-reliant and gather courage to take self-decisions. In certain cases this may be beneficial as the child behaves maturely while in other cases it may result in abnormal behavior making them rebellious or anti-social. Children do not have wisdom to take decisions all by themselves and to understand what is right for them. They may not consult their mother for any small to big decision in life assuming that mother is not in her true senses and lacks astuteness to suggest what is right for the child. Mother lose her respect in the eyes of child and child may not follow what mother suggests. This is an alarming situation as mother has no control over her children (Dubowitz, 1999; West, 1987). A child is solely dependent on parent or caretakers. Unsound mental or physical health of the parent especially could sow the seeds of diffidence which is harmful for the normal child development. Depressed and stressed parents are more involved in quarrels and thereby building an atmosphere of stress which diminishes the childs social, emotional and cognitive development. Poor mental and physical well-being leads to little parent-child interaction which directly influence the learning behavior as well as poor communication skills of the child (Gunn, 1997; Feaster, 1996). Child may observe addict parent as unreliable and undependable which creates a bad impression of the parent in the young mind and may have lasting implications. Media Influence Children whose mother is a victim of drug addiction interact with mother to a lesser extent and are more dependent of T.V. They keep watching T.V programs and shows for hours. They may watch programs which is not suitable to their age and would like to indulge in such an act as there is no one to understand them and provide them any knowledge about the incidence being displayed. This is dangerous as the child involves in stealing away things of peer, neighbors and also develop the habit of shop-lifting which may inculcate criminal temperament. Further, lack of understanding to discriminate what is right for them, children become violent and anti-social. Child belonging to addicted mother may pull away from the mother and seek satisfaction in developing friendship with those who can buffer their situation. In certain cases children involve themselves to the extra-curricular activities to remove distress from their young minds. Children get more involved in academics and school activities. Such children build a high self-esteem for themselves and do well in their school activities. A little guidance either from the father or from the teacher could save the child from getting spoiled. Conclusion Children belonging drug addicted mothers are potentially at higher risk of adopting habits of their mother as compared to their peers. Implications of mother being drug addicted is also displayed in the form of poor school performance resulting in meager grades, reduced concentration and underprivileged outlook all these results in poor social predisposition, reduced job opportunities culminating into depression. It becomes highly imperative that parents must be aware of their deeds once they have childs responsibilities. If father is sober and concerned then the situation could be handled very well and gradually the habit of mother be changed which will eventually generate a happy and progressive family atmosphere. References Capaldi, L. (2008). the Relationship Between Parental Substance Abuse and the Effects on Young Children. Social Work Student Papers. Paper 14. Available at http://digitalcommons.providence.edu/socialwrk_students/14. [Accessed on 14th December 2011]. Dubowitz, H. (1999). Neglected children. California: Sage Publications. Feaster, C. B. (1996). The relationship between parental chemical abuse and children’s behavior disorders. Preventing School Failure, 40, 155-161. Goodlett,C. R., Horn, K. H., Zhou, F. C. (2005). Alcohol Teratogenesis: Mechanisms of Damage and Strategies for Intervention. Exp Bio Med, 230(6), 394-406. Gunn, J. B. & Duncan, G. J. (1997). The effects of poverty on children. The Future of Children, 7, 55-71. Holt, B. The Effects of Drug- Addicted Parents on Children. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/495234-the-effects-of-drug-addicted-parents-on- children/ Sardemann, H., Madsen, K. A., Friis- Hansen, B. (1976). Follow-up of children of drug-addicted mothers. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 51, 131 Werner, E. E. (1986). Resilient offspring of alcoholics: A longitudinal study from birth to age 18. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 47, 34-40. West, M. O., Prinz, R. J. (1987). Parental alcoholism and childhood psychopathology. Psychological Bulletin, 102, 204-218. Read More