Children to addicts...

Children to addicts are a very exposed group of relatives; they are dependent on their parents for their wellbeing. That is why it is important to learn about the types of signlas that these children can show. The varning signlas can be divided into four categories:

1. Somatic: abnormal length- and weight development, headaches, stomache aches, tiredness, vomiting.

2. Psychiatric: anxiety, depression, insomnia, food problems.

3. Psychological/pedagogical: problems in the relationships to other children/grown ups, problems in school despite having normal intelligence and not because of difficulties with reading and writing.

4. Behavior: Impulsive, restless, aggressive, criminal behavior, alcohol/drug abuse.

The childhood in a family with substance abuse problems is often characterized by unpredictability, worry, insecurity, anxiety, disappointments, lies, fear, mistreatment and sexual abuse, but also by feelings such as sorrow and anger (an anger that is either turned inwards or that the child acts out).