Child neglect remains one of the most devastating—and overlooked—root causes of chemical dependency such as alcohol abuse and drug addiction. In fact, research indicates individuals neglected as children become more likely than their peers to become nicotine, alcohol and drug dependent over the course of their lifetimes. However, a history of child neglect does not have to keep you locked in the cycle of dependency. Fortunately, when survivors of childhood neglect confront and deal with the pain of abandonment and mistreatment that accompany their experiences through inpatient recovery programs, they can find successful recovery from chemical dependency,

Child Neglect as a Root Cause for Chemical Dependency

Studies have shown that the ramifications of child neglect begin to show even at a young age. In fact, a National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being study showed that kids as young as three to five years old who had been placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect were over 200 percent more likely to experience serious behavioral problems and emotional issues. One 1997 study showed that groups including neglected children became 25 percent more likely to become drug dependent, and experience academic, legal and mental health issues.

Many survivors of child neglect tend to minimize the negative effects of the neglect on their emotions and psyche. Because child neglect involves omission—the absence of care, food, hygiene, guidance, or expressed love and safety—survivors often fail to recognize child neglect as abuse, often using justifications such as, “I learned to get by,” or “I fended for myself.” However, child neglect not only burdens the child with caring for himself or others in the family, but often creates deep fear surrounding basic survival. The self-esteem begins to suffer, as repeated instances of neglect lead child neglect survivors to believe themselves unworthy of care or attention, creating negative self beliefs that can persist over a lifetime. Additionally, the need to survive and cope with these situations can lead to sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, or drug and alcohol dependency to avoid the emotional pain of rejection and abandonment.

Child Neglect by Drug and Alcohol Dependent Parents

The chemical dependency of a parent often factors into instances of child neglect, as well. As parents become chemically dependent, by nature they have less time, attention or awareness of their children’s needs while locked in the cycle of addiction. Many survivors of childhood neglect have not only experienced the fear, pain and shame of their own neglect, but witnessed parents coping with their own emotional problems through drug and alcohol dependency. This leads neglected individuals to “model” these dysfunctional coping mechanisms by attempting to self-medicate their own psychological pain in adulthood.

Hope for Chemically Dependent Survivors of Child Neglect

Fortunately, when child neglect survivors begin to see their chemical dependency as more than simply a physical addiction, healing can begin. Through the use of compassionate counseling and hypnotherapy, feelings and memories surrounding instances of child neglect can begin to be confronted, understood, and healed. With patience, the underlying fear, shame and emotional rejection can fall away, allowing restoration of self-esteem and healthy coping mechanisms. Once the scars of childhood neglect have been treated by individualized counseling in inpatient rehab, chemical dependency can be truly cured.