Child Development and Public Health

There is a disease out there that affects our mind, body, and soul. It harms us physically, mentally, and emotionally. It harms not only the person with the disease but also the family and friends of this person. Do you know what I am talking about? I am talking about alcoholism/addiction. Over 18 million Americans are estimated to have the disease of alcoholism. They say that one in four people are addicts or alcoholics. I have people in my family who are affected by this disease and I personally have seen the effects that it has on the family and more so on the child. I have also seen friends who have died from the disease. Did you know that when a person close to you has the disease and you are an enabler or codependent that you can be just as sick as they are? You do not have to have a drink or a drug to be sick, but mentally you become very ill. Sometimes the family members suffer so badly that the disease overcomes them and they become sicker than the addicted. I have met families where the family member had actually taken their own life or became so mentally ill that they had to have serious interventions such as medications and counseling, sometimes even hospitalization.

So what do you think that this does to the children in your family? The children who you think might not know or understand, they are much more observant than you think. Children have a sense of danger, illness, or sadness. For example, Dad is an alcoholic and Mom is doing everything in her power to get Dad to quit, make him better, cover up his mistakes, and keep the family running. She becomes run down, depressed, or irritated. The children are the ones who suffer more than anyone. Even if they do not see the actual act, they still suffer. And then there are the children who actually witness some of the most horrific acts while a person can be under the influence. The children start to become depressed, stressed out, emotionally and physically exhausted. This will have a large influence on their growth and development. When children cannot concentrate they cannot perform well in school, when they are depressed they have poor nutrition, when they have lack of sleep they are also irritated and misbehave. I could go on and on about the poor effects of this disease on a child and in their growth and development.

After looking at the World Health Organization article about substance abuse I was surprised (http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/9/editorial20904html/en/) It talks about how developing countries have so many stressors that the rates of substance abuse are higher because of their living conditions. I am not surprised by the fact that people turn to substance abuse when stressed. However I am surprised that in developing countries where there is little to no money they can afford to buy drugs and alcohol.

This disease is real and is devastating to the mind and body not only of the abuser, but to the family around them. If you know someone who is in need of help you can visit this website http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Or look to your local AA or Al Anon organization for guides to help in your area.