What impact does drug and alcohol misuse have on children?
It’s OK to drink in moderation around your children, but parents who drink to excess or misuse drugs put their children at risk.
Substance misuse can cause serious harm to children. Alcohol and drugs are dangerous for them and even small amounts can lead to acute poisoning, seizures, coma and other adverse effects. Parental dependency on substances can also alter a child’s behaviour. Children exposed to drug and alcohol abuse may:
- Experience physical and emotional harm as a result of poor supervision and role models
- Take on the role of carer for parents or siblings
- Have poor attendance and/or performance at school.
- Be exposed to drug culture and criminal activity
- Develop addictions and dependencies themselves when they are adults.
If you’re pregnant you shouldn’t drink at all. Mums who misuse substances during pregnancy put their babies at risk of impaired brain development, premature labour, low birth weight and withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Need help with drug and alcohol abuse?
If you think you have a problem with drugs or alcohol we can help. We can also provide parenting support. Fill out our referral form or give us a call on 01582 341343 and a member of the team will be in touch.
You can also contact us if a woman you care about is experiencing substance misuse or dependency, or if you are a professional looking for information.
