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.
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Both parents addicts chances of addiction Both parents addicts chances of addiction
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.
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?
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’.
what if both parents are addicts but the child is not being raised by the parents? does that play a roll ?
VANCOUVER / ADDICTION / HOMELESS / CHAOS / POVERTY
THE HARSH REALITY OF ADDICTION
The producers of this short film are both recovering addicts who have both spent time living and indulging with drug addiction in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Today they are both clean and sober with multiple years of recovery
Addiction: Chaos in Vancouver
http://www.archive.org/details/VancouverAddictionHomelessChaosPoverty