OTROCI IN ZASVOJENOST V DRUŽINI
CHILDREN AND ADDICTION IN THE FAMILY

Summary/Abstract: Addiction is a major public health and social problem. The complications of addiction can occur in the public or private sphere. In a family with substance-dependent parents, the family dynamic changes and accompanying phenomena develop that are harmful to the psychosocial development of the child, the consequences of which are visible in adulthood. Many children show an increased risk of developing emotional, social, behavioural, and cognitive-academic problems, with consequences that continue into adulthood. In present study, we examined the correlation between substance abuse in the family of origin and certain circumstances and aspects of experience in childhood (substance misuse, functionality of family life) and in adulthood (addiction, experience of personal problems and strengths, emotion regulation). The results of the study, which involved 465 participants, show that higher substance abuse in the family of origin is correlated with worse functionality of family of origin and more presence of different forms of abuse and neglect in childhood. There is also a statistically significant correlation between substance abuse in the family of origin and more substance abuse problems in adulthood, experiencing lower functionality in adulthood (more individual problems and less strengths), and more difficulties in emotion regulation. Children of addicted parents are more vulnerable to developing complications in childhood and adulthood due to the stressful circumstances of their childhood, and there is a justified and reasonable need for psychosocial and therapeutic support that will consider the areas that are most exposed and affected in these circumstances.

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