Research is clear about the links between childhood trauma, pain, suffering, abuse and violence, and problematic alcohol and other drugs use.
A parent with problematic alcohol and other drugs use has likely experienced pain or suffering from their childhood or are currently experiencing pain from violence, neglect, sexual abuse, mental health, oppression, racism, disadvantage or poverty.
Seeing and understanding the challenges a parent has faced and how their experiences may have led to or maintain their alcohol and other drugs use is important. Helping parents make this connection and sharing this can be a catalyst for change.
When you help parents see their strengths, how they have used alcohol and other drugs to cope and survive, and the times when they have been able to create safety for their children, you give them courage to see themselves as a survivor.
Note
Drugs help numb the feelings, produce positive feelings that override the negative emotions. Some have been abused to such a degree that it is to obliterate having any feelings at all. For some, the secondary trauma of life since then, struggles with relationships and life on the streets, their inability to cope with daily life, is what then perpetuates the using.
Watch
Watch Dr Gabor Mate’s short video about the life experiences of people who are dependent on alcohol and other drugs use.
What is Addiction?
Collaborative assessment and planning with parents
NextLiving with alcohol and other drugs use
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