Drug Addiction: Family Risk Factors

Whether you live on a cozy cul-de-sac in Connecticut, in a farming community in Iowa, on the beach at Malibu or in one of our nation’s inner-cities, it is highly probable that you know a family impacted by drug addiction. Perhaps that family is yours. Addiction knows no boundaries; it crosses every socio-economic line, does not spare those who are highly intelligent or those that come from a “good family”. In fact, drug addiction is an equal-opportunity destroyer.

Addiction is so prevalent in today’s society that you cannot pick up a magazine or newspaper without reading about a drug-related death or another celebrity’s trip to rehab. While no one can guarantee you that your loved ones will not be impacted by addiction, studies prove the best defense one can have in fighting this war is to be armed with as much information as possible – as early as possible.

We will take a look at the most common risk factors as well as protective factors and review early signs that can predict future drug abuse. By replacing risk factors with protective factors drug use can often be avoided.
What are the earliest signs of risk that can predict later drug addiction? There is a strong biological link that exists; children with familial history of addiction are at greater risk of becoming addicts themselves. Biology is NOT the only risk factor however; there are many others that can be identified and worked on.
Researchers agree that as early as infancy and toddler-hood some risk factors are present; lack of self-control, aggressive behavior and a difficult temperament may all be indicators. You may be thinking “All kids lack self-control and can be difficult at times”. This is true; however, when these behaviors become so serious that the child’s home, school and/or social life are impacted, the risk of drug use and/or addiction is much higher.

Because kids’ earliest interactions are with family members, family dynamics can contribute to rising risk factors for later addiction. Some of these situations include:

• A parent or caregiver who abuses drugs
• A lack of attachment between caregiver and child
• Parenting that is ineffective due to lack of consistent discipline and clear boundaries
On the flip-side, risk factors are significantly decreased in homes where:
• Parents are consistently involved in children’s lives
• Strong emotional and communication bonds exist between parents and children
• Consistent discipline combined with clear boundaries are in place

The family is not the only place where risk factors are at play; as children age, the number and severity of risk factors also increase, such as:

• *Associating with peers who abuse drugs
• Acting out in the classroom setting
• Poor social skills
• Failing grades

*Associating with other kids who abuse drugs is often the most immediate risk for exposing young people to addiction as well as anti-social behavior.

Availability of drugs in the community and an overall belief that drug abuse is okay (or at least tolerated) are other risks that influence adolescents to begin using/abusing drugs. If the parents in the home display a casual or accepting attitude toward drug use, studies show children are at least 10 times more likely to use drugs themselves. Drug use cannot be treated as “do as I say, not as I do”-it simply does not work.

Risk factors are increased during stressful times; these are important for the family to be aware of and include:

• Periods of major transition; divorce, separation and remarriage
• Moving from the security of the home into a school setting

It is during the middle school years (12-15) that most kids are likely to first encounter drugs

• High school is challenging for most of us; this includes learning how to interact with many new people and new situations

High school is also often the place where drugs are more widely used and readily available. So it is a “perfect storm” of sorts; kids who feel out of place and nervous are offered drugs to help them feel cool, calm and collected – at least for a little while.

• Children moving out on their own – to college or to begin work – are at the highest risk of drug abuse.

Clearly, this data reinforces the need for early intervention in the family, at school and in the community. Parents, who early on, speak to their kids about drugs, monitor their activities and maintain open communication, are less likely to have kids who move on to drug abuse.

Schools that value and reward academic achievements, teach self-control and drug refusing skills while helping children to cope in different social situations can also greatly reduce the risk factors. Since dropping out of school is one of the biggest risk factors for young people, it is imperative that parents and schools work steadfastly to keep kids engaged in the learning process.

Communities that offer drug prevention programs are very helpful and often able to help ‘nip the problem in the bud’. Studies reveal that programs that coordinate prevention efforts across settings (through school, work, religious surroundings and the media) are the most successful.

We have all heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. This is perhaps nowhere more relevant than in the case of identifying risk factors and working to prevent drug use and addiction.

Tags: family and addiction