Growing up with a parent addict can be hard, if not unbearable at times. Seeing parents destroy themselves and hurt the family can create emotional, mental, and physical problems that affect the children every day. Arizona drug addiction treatment centers offer family therapy and support for a daughter of a drug addict.
The Influence of Addiction on Daughters
Addiction creates an intense environment in the home. Daughters who witness their mother’s or father’s destructive behavior will exhibit either similar or contrasting behaviors as a reaction to the trauma. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 25 percent of children grow up in homes where addiction is a problem.
A daughter who grows up with an alcoholic is twice as likely to become an alcoholic. Also, she may exhibit negative behaviors, such as:
- Bad grades or reduced academic performance
- Problems with emotions or behavior
- A low sense of self-esteem
- Experimentation with drugs or alcohol at an early age
- A feeling of shame or isolation from others
Also, daughters who are exposed to substance abuse are more likely to become more physically, sexually, or verbally abusive to their children. When daughters grow into adults, they may suffer from severe anxiety or ongoing depression.
Helping Parents Overcome Addiction
While all of this information may seem bleak, daughters can have a positive impact on their parents. Granted, they will have to overcome a lot to get their parents to change. However, with some help from friends, family, or professionals, they can encourage their parents to get drug addiction treatment in Arizona.
Many daughters have the unfortunate role of taking on the responsibilities in the home and being the primary caregiver. This is because their parents cannot function from day to day due to their dependency. A daughter, however, can use this to her advantage by confronting their parents and waking them up to the reality of their addiction. Children can also reach out to those around them to help them with an intervention.
How Daughters Can Overcome the Effects of Addiction
While the effects of addiction can be traumatic, it is possible to overcome them in time. Daughters can build confidence and work through their trauma in several ways, such as:
- Finding an adult to talk to and gain support from
- Expressing their feelings and thoughts in a journal
- Getting involved in activities outside the home
- Spending time with friends
- Finding out who to contact about the addiction
- Making a list of safe places to go when things get rough at home
Also, a daughter may need to get help from a licensed therapist. With therapy and treatment, they can overcome the adverse effects of addiction at home.
Reach Out to Arizona Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
If you have a family member that is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, a men’s residential drug treatment program is available to help. To find out more, contact Arizona drug addiction treatment centers today.
