Child abuse is defined in the encyclopedia Britannica as the “willful
infliction of pain and suffering on children through physical, sexual, or
emotional mistreatment. Prior to the
1970’s the term child abuse normally referred to only physical mistreatment,
but since then its application has expanded to include, in addition to
inordinate physical violence, unjustifiable verbal abuse; the failure to
furnish proper shelter, nourishment, medical treatment, or emotional support;
incest and other cases of sexual molestation or rape; and the use of children
in prostitution or pornography” (Child Abuse, 2013).
Children are a classic representation of the innocence and good
within a society and they are not able to choose their parents or the
environment in which they may have to live. Studies have shown that “child
abuse has an immediate negative impact on children which has gone unrecognized
for years or even decades” (Hume, 2011).
While we know that child abuse causes emotional and mental issues, it is
still not clear if drug and alcohol addiction can be linked to child abuse,
which is why research is still ongoing looking deeper into the psychological
effects that develop from individuals that were victims of child abuse.
Tish Davidson wrote an article on child abuse where she states
that “child abuse is recognized as a problem that occurs among households of
all racial, ethnic, and income levels, although the incidence of reported cases
is higher in low-income households where adult caregivers experience greater
financial stress and social difficulties, have less education and less
understanding of child development, and may have less access to social
services. In addition, children of
parents who are substance abusers are more likely to experience abuse than
children living in households where there is no substance abuse” (Davidson,
2011 p. 959). With this being said a
hypothesis could be formulated to question if children who were victims of
child abuse are more likely to become addicted to drugs and alcohol if their
parents were substance abusers.
Addiction is a very powerful illness. I can personally say that I believe to a
certain extent that many children who were victims of child abuse may develop
an addiction to drugs, alcohol or sex because they seek out something to help
them escape memories of the abuse. “Addiction
is a disease of the brain that causes dependence upon or a persistent,
compulsive need to use a habit-forming substance or an irresistible urge to
engage in an activity, despite harmful consequences. Addictions are characterized by the
increasing need for more of the substance or activity to obtain the same
effect. Abstinence from the addiction
may cause unpleasant or even life threatening withdrawal symptoms” (Sternberg,
Willingham, Asenjo, Wells, & Alic,
2011 p. 55).
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