Due to my lack of firsthand experience in this area, I chose it as my project. I would be interested in learning specifically, the effects on children whose parent/s is/are abusing drugs or alcohol. Becoming more knowledgeable in this area would allow me to better understand what my future students are experiencing, thus enabling me to better meet their needs and mitigate their circumstances as best I can. Moreover, it will provide me with knowledge in how to relate to, deal with, and hopefully provide resources to their families. I fully believe that addiction is truly a disease. Learning more about this topic will allow me to better help families cope, as well as hopefully having some influence which could end a potential cycle in which the children grow up to become addicted.
One of the many questions I hope to find an answer to, is what strategies we can teach children in order to help them cope with the family circumstances they experience due to drug or alcohol abuse. The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2014) states that exposure to toxic stress can lead a child to a damaged brain architecture. Therefore, it is important that children learn coping strategies in order that long term or permanent brain damage does not ensue.References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015, June). DrugFacts: Nationwide trends | National institute on drug abuse (NIDA). Retrieved May 25, 2016, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends
Scientific Council, N. (2014). Excessive stress disrupts the development of brain architecture.Journal of Children's Services, 9(2), 143-153. doi:10.1108/jcs-01-2014-0006
Skolkovo. (2011). [Image]. Retrieved from http://image.slidesharecdn.com/zelmanvladimirexploringnewfrontiersofbrainpreservationandprotection-110204112407-phpapp01/95/zelman-vladimir-exploring-new-frontiers-of-brain-preservation-and-protection-22-728.jpg?cb=1296818725
Hello Darren,
ReplyDeleteI think that you pick an interest topic on drug and alcohol abuse. This is a very serious problem that is happening so much in the world today. Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can damage a developing fetus. Intoxication can impair brain function and motor skills; heavy use can increase risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease. Alcohol abuse, which can lead to alcoholism, is a pattern of drinking those results in harm to one's health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. In an article I read The American Academy of Expertise Traumatic Stress (2014), it stated that “In families where alcohol or other drugs are being abused, behavior is frequently unpredictable and communication is unclear. Family life is characterized by chaos and unpredictability. The behavior of the children can range from loving to withdrawn to crazy” (p.1). The children suffer from parents that are alcohol and drug abuse. In according to The American Academy of Expertise Traumatic Stress (2014),” They may be the victims of physical violence or incest. They may also witness violence – frequently alcohol and other drug abuse goes hand in hand with domestic violence. And as a result, these youngsters may suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, with the same kinds of sleep disturbances, flashbacks, anxiety, and depression that are associated with victims of war crimes” (p. 1). I feel that parents need to be educated on this topic to help the children from been subject to this type of abuse.
Reference
The American Academy of Expertise Traumatic Stress (2014), Effects of Parental Substance
Abuse on Children and Families Retrieve from: http://www.aaets.org/article230.htm
Gail, thanks so much for your response. You provided some great sources of information that I will check out. I strongly agree that children suffer greatly when a parent abuses drugs and alcohol. I hope to find data that not only shows the risks and effects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence, but also how we as educators can support parents in finding recovery, and ways we can proceed to help children deal with these issues if present in the home. Thanks again for your response!
DeleteThis is a great topic to research Darren. I personally dealt with a father who was a victim of alcohol abuse and although it is something that he has gotten tremendously better from, it is something that I recall as a child having to deal with. Luckily he was not abusive during his alcohol abuse, but there were definitely challenges that arose from this intoxication. I will be interested to see what your research helps you to discover.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing Whitney. I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with this as a child. Though I am glad you did not suffer abuse, it is certainly still a stress you had to cope with as a child. I'm sure though that the experience has contributed to who you are today (strength, etc.) Again, thanks for sharing!
Delete
ReplyDeleteHi Darren,
Thank you for sharing about an important topic. As a 2nd grade teacher, last year I experienced a student that had one of their parents addicted to drugs and that student would come in and mention comments here and there until I picked up on the fact that something was not right at home. After I discovered the red flag from this student I referred them to the counselors office. Unfortunately, children of substance abusers are frightened. They may be the victims of physical violence or incest. They may also witness violence. In addition, frequent alcohol and other drug abuse goes hand in hand with domestic violence. As a result, children may suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, with the same kinds of sleep disturbances, flashbacks, anxiety, and depression. I am grateful that you have decided to make a difference in the lives of children who are experiencing substance abuse within their household.
http://www.aaets.org/article230.htm
Thanks for sharing your insights Phyllis. I agree that there a many dangers children are risked with facing when a parent struggles with drug or alcohol dependence. I am thankful for your student, that you picked up on the red flag and were able get support through the counselor's office to find help and support for the child.
DeleteDaren,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you are very passionate about your topic. I think is a great topic we all need to know more about. Even if some have personal knowledge of this experience perhaps you can shed more light on the topic. I say this about my topic also but there comes a time when a child must decide if they are going to stay in the path of life they came from or if they are going to make better decisions for their lives. In teaching children to cope and overcome you are helping them make a better choose for their lives. To topic will help other teachers to help their students as well.
Good luck and best wish in your endeavor.
Freya McCleery
Thanks for your comments Freya! I love how you stated, "In teaching children to cope and overcome you are helping them make a better choice for their lives." It is so true and very well said! A great resource that I have found for teachers comes from The National Association for the Children of Alcoholics. The document is titled "A Toolkit for Educators". It is 34 pages long and includes a plethora of information to understand what the children cope with and how to support the children. It can be seen and downloaded from: http://www.nacoa.org/pdfs/EDkit_web_06.pdf
DeleteReferences
National Association for Children of Alcoholics. (2001). Children of alcoholics: A toolkit for educators. Retrieved from http://www.nacoa.org/pdfs/EDkit_web_06.pdf