1 in 5 children grow up in a home with adults with a substance use disorder.
Children of parents struggling with addiction are more likely to have issues with anxiety, depression, confusion and anger.
*According to the National Association for Children of Addiction
They are also more likely to struggle with addiction themselves when they grow up. This shows how addiction can affect families across generations. But it isn’t the only cause of childhood trauma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—Understanding the Past, Improving the Future
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study measures 10 common types of trauma that can happen to kids. These include:
- Having a parent with an addiction
- Divorce
- Domestic violence
- Homelessness
- And more
The study examines how these experiences can affect kids’ physical and mental health as they grow up. And year after year, it shows that kids with a high impact score are more likely to face problems later in life, including:
- Dying 20 years sooner on average
- 4.5x more likely to become depressed
- 7x more likely to develop alcoholism
- 10x more likely to abuse drugs
- 12x more likely to commit suicide
- 32x more likely to have learning and behavior problems
Knowing an ACEs score can help us understand what someone is going through and predict future challenges, so we can find the right kind of support and healing.
If you or someone you know is affected by a parental addiction, help is available.
Take the ACEs Test
The test can be beneficial for both children and adults, helping to identify the impact of life experiences on long-term health.
- For adults: Understand how your past may still affect you today.
- For children: It can help adults know how to support children for a better future.
More Information
For more information about additional behavioral health resources in Cecil County, please visit Find Help.