Substance dependent parents model substance abuse as a last-resort coping skill when all others have been exhausted. Parental involvement is a factor that influences children’s perspective on substance abuse. The lack of ambition and encouragement of parenting tends to lead to weaker involvement, less responsibility and commitment, weak family management, and withdrawal from relationships with their offspring. Adolescents’ that receive little or no attempt from the parent to become closer, such as the parent being involved in substance abuse that impacts on their ability to form a cohesive relationship, are at risk of adopting the same drug habits even when the child knows that substance abuse is a destructive path. Equally, adolescents’ that have not experienced regular guidance from their parents are unable to form boundaries, nor resist the temptations and pressure of peers, which could also lead to substance use and inability to find satisfaction and acceptance of those around them. Parents who are substance dependent are considered to be extreme risk factors for adolescents. For example, substance abuse by parents conditions a child into believing that it is socially acceptable and in turn increases the likelihood of the child using substances. Children of substance users will continue the trend of teaching their children that it is socially …show more content…
In some cases, a parent is unwilling to co-parent, despite it being in the best interest of the children. A parent may isolate a child from their spouse, diminishing the child's emotional state. Parental loss due to separation is a precursor to substance abuse. In order to cope with the confusing and hostile family situation children turn to substances to eliminate pain. Children who are in between parental complications and abusing substances are one out of several possible adverse effects of being unable to work as a unit. In addition to the emotional abuse, a child could be subjected to physical abuse. The strain that physical abuse adds onto substance use is significantly higher for children. History of child abuse is found to be a strong precursor to substance use. The chances of substance abuse are two to three times more likely when physical abuse is present. Males are more likely than females to fall into substance abuse at earlier stages in their lives. A history of child abuse has been proven to increases the use of medical and psychiatric services later in life. These adverse effects could be prevented if a couple is willing to try alternatives methods of mending a relationship instead of getting a