Case Study: Impact on Children of Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, a

Studies have shown that children who grow up in families where there is substance misuse, mental illness or domestic violence are more vulnerable to significant harm (Kendall-Taylor and Mikulak 2009).Children’s vulnerability usually stems from the effects of substance misuse, domestic violence or mental illness on parenting ability. Substance misuse, domestic violence and mental illness can result in parent’s finding it difficult to organize their lives to meet both their personal needs and their children’s physical, emotional and social needs. Parents may also find it difficult to control their reactions and adverse mood fluctuations, thus, many children are often affected and some even for a life time .Naturally this can terrify children and leave them feeling fretful, uncertain and over cautious. Vulnerability such as the effects of maternal drug or alcohol misuse or direct physical attacks on the abdominal region of a pregnant woman, may even extend to the un born child. Substance Misuse The term 'misuse' has different contextual applications. When applied to substances such drugs (whether prescribed or illicit) or alcohol, it simply means that the usage of the substance in question is too much (excessive) and may cause harm to the concerned individual either by directly affecting daily endeavors, or by gradually destroying a normal life. Usage of legal drugs such as nicotine, caffeine, or alcohol without much thought is often common with many people (National Alliance on Mental Illness USA 2011). It may cause difficulties in relationships or affect performance at home and at work. According to findings, persistent use of one or more of these substances often leads to some level of tolerance in the affected individual. Thi... ... to make them feel important and wanted which would in turn serve to make them ore open and cooperative. Bibliography Eastwood, Paul. Statistics on Drug Misuse: England. pdf, England: UK NHS Information Centre, 2011. Kendall-Taylor, Nat, and Anna Mikulak. FrameWorks Institute. Feb 2009. Retrived on 15 Aug, 2011 from http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/PDF_childmentalhealth/childmentalhealthreview.pdf Mental Health Foundation . 2011. Retrieved on 15 Aug, 2011 from http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ National Alliance on Mental Illness USA. Mental Illness. 2011. Retrieved on 15 Aug, 2011 from http://www.rethink.org/about_mental_illness/dual_diagnosis/what_is_substance_mi.html WHO. Management of substance abuse . 2011. Retrieved on 15 Aug, 2011 from http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/publications/alcohol/en/ (accessed Aug 08, 2011).