New Texas law makes it harder for parents to claim their children if they relapse

I can see it in your eyes

when crawling in.

Been somewhere you promised me

I would never go again …

… These are our lives he’s tearing apart.

It is not a fun game.

It has destroyed our family and it has killed our love.

Because he loves “cocaine”.

• Fountain: Melissa Scott, because she loves cocaine

The lines of the poem ‘Because he loves cocaine’ portray the emotions that run through a child living with a father addicted to the deadly drug. As correctly mentioned, drugs not only affect dependent people, but also destroy their families. The impact of drug abuse by parents is particularly great on children. Being at a developmental and impressionable age, these children are forced to endure the worst of it in many ways, such as cognitive decline, poor school performance, developing risky behaviors, etc. Often times, they become susceptible to violence and assault, leading to life-threatening injuries.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that approximately 12 percent of American children (more than 8.3 million children) lived with at least one drug or alcohol dependent parent or guardian between 2002 and 2007. Drug abuse by parents is a seriously insulted problem; Most authorities in the protection of minors and the judiciary consider it a form of neglect of parental duties.

Since the entire journey from addiction to recovery can be extremely challenging, it becomes difficult for children to hold on to their drug addicted parents. These children become emotionally vulnerable and run the risk of emulating their parents. Given the dangers of growing up with parents with substance use disorders (SUDs), the federal and state governments have enacted various laws and measures to ensure their safety and well-being. Regardless of the state, authorities can use parental drug abuse as a qualifier for child abuse.

House Bill 85, the Child Protection Act

One of Texas’ child protection laws, House Bill 85, is tough on parents who relapse during rehab. The court in this case can request the termination of your rights towards your children. Although it is considered an effective step against drug abuse by parents, many people who have been through the pain of separation from their children have cast serious doubts on the outcome.

Such a punitive measure can have a significant impact on both the parent with SUD and the child. Separation from their parents could be a heartbreaking experience for children, and vice versa. The trauma could affect your bearing in later life. Since children and adolescents are attached to their parents, placing them in foster care could hinder their growth and development.

Studies have highlighted developmental problems in children growing up in such an environment, such as mental health problems. Rather than being a healing process, it can be a harrowing experience. In the absence of a stable environment and the attachment provided by parents, they witness problems in brain development in the short and long term.

Also, parents who are separated from their children are less likely to be motivated to recover. Since losing a child can be a huge blow to any parent, they are more likely to revert to their old ways. Many people have mentioned the role of families in their recovery. Despite having relapsed once or twice during treatment, they were able to achieve sobriety thanks to the sheer love of their children. The goal of reuniting with their children and other loved ones helped them overcome the addiction.

Happiness is in having a loving family

Regardless of the circumstances, no form of substance abuse does not arise because of an individual. It is a chronic disease of the brain that can be treated with the right intervention. It is common for an individual to relapse during rehab, as withdrawal pains can become too severe for him or her. In addition, detoxification and rehabilitation are complex processes that take time. Therefore, drug abuse cannot be tackled all at once.

Addiction usually begins with occasional use that soon becomes a serious habit. As an individual becomes dependent on any drug, the brain’s reward system changes, resulting in more frequent cravings, negatively impacting their ability to function at home or at work. Drug addiction should be treated as soon as possible through treatment programs that include pharmacological and psychological interventions.