Adult Child of Addicts:
Rising Above Your Past

Apart from providing the basic necessities of life, parents have the crucial obligation of sustaining the physical and emotional needs of their children. This includes raising children in a safe and stable environment where they can have a greater chance of growing up to become well-balanced and productive members of society. Those besieged with addiction, however, may experience greater difficulty in providing what their children may need.

Living with Addicted Parents

Studies show that over 28 million Americans have at least one parent who is addicted to alcohol or drugs. Of this, nearly 11 million are under 18 years of age. Regardless of age, children who are raised by addicted parents can not only suffer lasting consequences, but may be at higher risk of being caught in the same loop of addiction.

If you grew up in a home with even one parent abusing drugs or alcohol, your life may be riddled with confusion, resentment, anger, and fear. With the effects of addictive substances affecting your parents, they may have blamed you as a cause of their addiction while you may have harbored ill feelings for their perceived unwillingness to stop using for your sake. Like other children of addicted families, you may feel rejected, abused, neglected, and/or worthless. Hence, you may find yourself experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and/or failed relationships in your adult life.

Breaking the Cycle

Not all parents are created equal. Even the most positive parents who aspire to provide the best home environment for their children can make mistakes. You may be wondering if you are bound to repeat the same mistakes or behaviors of your own parents.

Thankfully, that is not always the case. Children of Alcoholics (COA) and Children of Substance Abusers (COSA), have found that 75 percent of children with alcohol or substance abusing parents are able to break free from the cycle of addiction. Such statistics can be inspiring for children of addicted parents, showing that it is possible to break this vicious cycle.

Freedom from the Shadow of Addiction

If you’re an adult child of addicted parents, know that others like you have successfully overcome the cycle of addiction in their own lives. With help from the right people, you can also effectively avoid or escape being trapped in a life ruled by addiction. Licensed, independently contracted therapists with Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC can help you process your feelings and help you to live a healthy and productive life. The earlier you seek help, the sooner you can step out of the cycle of addiction. Call CCS to request an appointment today.

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