It affects everyone who is emotionally involved with that person. New communication and problem solving skills can help friends and family members of chemically dependent people work through problems and change together. Austin Recovery s Friends and Family Program can give you those skills. How Children are affected by Chemical Dependency Chemical dependency runs in families. There is even evidence that in many cases, it is hereditary.
Children are at high risk of developing chemical dependency and emotional problems later in life.
Children respond to the problem in a number of ways. Some children aid and protect the chemically dependent parent. Some children attempt to stop or control the problem. Many blame themselves. Not all children who are developing problems show them in childhood, Even so, all children of a chemically dependent parent need help.