If both parents are addicts, does that increase the child’s chances of addiction?

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 Children of Addicts

JoeHerzanek

Q: If both parents are addicts, does that
increase the child’s chances of addiction?

A. There is a fifty-fifty chance.

The more alcoholics there are in a family, the higher the odds of passing along this addiction. In fact, when both parents have had substance abuse issues, the odds are 50/50 that their children will as well—should they decide to experiment with alcohol or drugs.



So what does that mean? In a case where both parents have a problem, with the odds at 50/50, will half of the kids become addicts? Not necessarily. This is an average. But it does mean the likelihood of becoming dependent is very high. Knowing this can help families recognize warning signs earlier rather than later. Depending on their maturity level, children and teenagers may decide to wait until early adulthood to begin experimentation (or, they may decide not to start at all).

Parents and other family members with such histories can consider how to help their children avoid developing a substance abuse problem. It is also a good idea for them to educate their children as to what is likely to happen if they are not on their guard. Knowing the dangers, facts, and warning signs of addiction is helpful, especially for those with a genetic predisposition. If we can get these kids to even delay trying drugs or alcohol, it will help to lessen their chances of falling into a life of dependency. Many research studies show that the later someone waits to start using, the less likely they are to become dependent.

Author/Chaplain Joe Herzanek

To arrange a workshop or presentation at your organization
call: 303.775.6493
or email: Jherzanek@gmail.com
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RESOURCES:
> Phone Counseling for Family Members
>
Recommended Books and DVDs for families of substance abusers and addicts
>
Low cost, No cost Alcohol and Drug Treatment Directory

> Drug Addiction and Alcoholism Recovery Resources for Friends, Families and Employers

If you found this article helpful please see our “Ask Joe” posts listed at the bottom and consider reading “Why Don’t they Just Quit? Hope for families struggling with addiction.”

Available at:
> Our website, “Why Don’t They Just Quit?”
> Amazon.com
> Changing Lives Amazon Storefront (buy new, from us for much less)

Why Don't They Just Quit? Hope for families struggling with addiction.
Updated and Revised Edition


Recent Amazon.com reviews:

Best book ever about addiction. Written by one whose done it and is recovering. Easy to read, not preachy, just honest. I recommend this book to anyone with an addict in their life! ~Lynda A

Got an addiction problem in your family? Read this book. Joe knows his stuff. This book helps you better understand those dealing with friends and family that are addicted to drugs and alcohol. I have read several of these books but this one is the best. ~RJ

I, like many people, have some knowledge of what drugs and addiction are, but are clueless on what the process of recovery entails. This book does a great job in what it would take to help a loved one, who is an addict and is willing to get clean and stay clean. It also gives one hope that your loved one will survive the nightmare they are living through with their family. ~CG

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ASK JOE:
> Do you have to stop seeing all your old friends in order to recover?
> Is a relapse—failure?
>Should my husband “back off?”
> If someone can stop using drugs or alcohol for weeks at a time, they “aren’t an addict—correct?
>Chronic Pain Management & Pain Pill Addiction: What to do?
>How can I know if my addicted friend or loved one is telling the truth?
>How can I tell if someone is an addict/alcoholic or just a heavy user?
>What is Methadone? What is Harm Reduction?

NEED HELP NOW?
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RELATED:
> Self-Tests: Codependence

> Self-Tests: Alcohol and Drug Addiction

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5 thoughts on “If both parents are addicts, does that increase the child’s chances of addiction?

  1. Joe

    Dear Natasha,
    Need information about substance abuse, alcohol and drugs? Spend lots of time looking at our websites. More high quality and free info there than you could digest in weeks of study.

  2. natasha

    Thanks Joe. I am an addict and so is my sons father. at this time my son is being raised by my mother who do no drug and doesnt drink. I pray that my son doesnt go down the road that i and his father have been down. do you know where I can get information about this at?

  3. Joe

    A couple of good questions here about genetic predisposition and how it plays out with the children. There have been several studies done that seem to show that this is a real or genuine concern. No one has ever found the ‘addiction gene’ but the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. Regardless of who may have raised the children of addicted parents they do tend to be more apt to have dependency issues as they get older. Just the same, knowing this can help the family be prepared and ready to act if they see signs. No one is condemned to chemical dependency whether their parents had problems or not. Get informed and know what to do and what not to do ‘just in case’.

  4. natasha

    what if both parents are addicts but the child is not being raised by the parents? does that play a roll ?

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