Research_Essay_Drugs_Alcohol_in_the_Home

COM 220 10/12/09 Can you remember the most important thing to you as a child or the most memorable moment with your family' For some children, neither of these questions posed would generate a fond memory. Why' Because, “Of the 12.7 million who used illegal drugs in the last month, about 10 million are presumed to be casual drug users, and about 2.7 million are addicts”, according to the Schaeffer Library of Drug policy [you need a citation here]. How many of that 2.7 million are parents' Children look to their parents for loving homes that not only provide them with financial stability but physical and emotional support as well; therefore, a child devoid of supportive parents cannotbe expected meet his or her full potential According to OSHA, “of the 17.2 million illicit drug users aged 18 and older in 2005, 12.9 million (74.8 percent) were employed either full or part time. For those who are fortunate enough to be employed, their continued employment is usually shaky at best. They are often either unable to come to work or just unfocused and unable to perform when they are there. Majority of them find it hard to leave their problems at the door when they arrive (OSHA, 2008). Some abusers are so oblivious to the world around them that they actually think people do not notice when they are high and report to work while still high. They often display signs and symptoms that are easily recognizable as drug or substance abuse and often hear from co-workers about deterioration of their work. (Source Urology Times, 2008). In Australia, almost one million people admitted to arriving to work drunk or under the influence according to a National Drug Strategy Household Survey (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,23833430-5017348,00.html “Aussies going to work on drugs By Annalise Walliker, June 09, 2008). These types of numbers are alarming. In addition, a drug or alcohol impairment can make for an avoidable workplace hazard and is why OSHA strongly supports comprehensive drug-free workforce programs. Employers began to fight back and not only demand random drug testing but have implemented policies that let employees, both current and future, know that drug and alcohol use on the job that affect job performance is not permitted(http://www.lectlaw.com/files/emp03.htm). This all, adds to the crumbling world of a drug abuser. The random drug testing requires them to do one of the following, risk being fired; attempt to cheat the drug testing; or stop abusing. Most abusers attempt the first two before trying to stop. Because individuals with substance abuse issues can be reluctant to seek help Employee Assistance Programs have been developed in many companies to help remove many barriers (www.springerlink.com) These programs will initially excuse you for your habit while you attempt to get the help needed to break it. Yet such programs are often not utilized by substance abusers because most do not feel they have a problem and others have no intention of quitting their abuse.. Abusers are also usually emotionally unstable. They are often wired and unravel easily when they can't get their drug. When they are high, they are happy, living life care free, without a care in the world. However, when they are unsure of where that next high is going to come from they can become angry and often violent. This is especially hard for children in the home. How can a child possibly understand a sudden change in a parent who, one moment, may be playful and kind, but angry or unkind the next'. Such volatility can make a child unsure of when it is safe to just be a child. He or she may be afraid to ask the simplest of questions, such as, “when is dinner,” or “can I go outside'” because such questions it can result in a yelling match or even a more violent backlash. A child or a teen with questions and hormones raging out of control may likely refrain from turning toa parent for wisdom or advice when they [the parent' Or the child'] too are not emotionally in the right frame of mind. Who is going to provide the insight to whom' How will the teen know if this is truly the right answer and not just the drugs talking' These are things that interfere with the relationship between the parent and the child when one is abusing drugs. In addition some abusers are so angry with the world when abusing drugs that they can often feel like emotions are a waste of time. They can sometimes demand the child to “toughen up” because its “the way of the world”. This is what can turn what could have been a loving child into an angry adolescent. In addition to their employment and emotions, most drug abusers often do not have a stable home environment. They are not concerned with where or how their family lives. Because of this many individuals with substance abuse issues eventually become homeless. (www.ehow.com) In fact, about 20 to 35 percent of the homeless have substance abuse-related issues. (www.ehow.com) This is not to say that when they are not high, they do not regret their actions. It simply means that these things are not their first concern. Their first concern is ultimately, getting more drugs, by any means necessary. This often means spending money that should be spent on necessities, on drugs. Yes there are things that children can do without like cable, video games, the latest clothes and so on. However, Things like electric, gas, water, groceries, soap, and most importantly, the roof over their head, are not. Electricity is a necessity that drug abusers can sometimes over look. Although young children do not pay attention to the specifics of bills they do know and understand when they have no heat, no lights, have to move from one house to another or have no home at all. They understand when this happens frequently and they understand when things are lost because of moving. Can you imagine losing your home, friends, and favorite toys over and over. Most of us cannot imagine this. For those of us who can, know that as a child it would make you unable to relax or get comfortable with any of your surroundings. Knowing that it is only going to disappear real soon anyway, so why even bother. Because of this, some parents attempt to hide their drug abuse. They blame the frequent changes of jobs, schools, and homes on several strings of bad luck or hard times. They are often ashamed of what they have become especially in their child’s eyes. They will continue to get other jobs, even if they can’t keep them, just to keep up a good front. However, because there are so many children with this same problem as well as TV, most children know when their parent is abusing something whether it is drugs or alcohol. Most abusers believe that if they are abusing but providing financial and emotional stability, that is enough for a happy healthy child. Although the child might have a better chance as opposed to a child who is missing these things, it doesn’t necessarily put them in the clear. The parent usually thinks the child has their own mind and will not begin to abuse as well. This is usually not the case. When there is substance abuse in the home as well as instability, the cycle usually continues.