Children of 'dictator' parents more likely to turn addicts!

Parents who are reasonable and set down clear rules without being overbearing are most successful in preventing their children from taking to drugs and drinks, a study said. Contrary to popular belief, firm discipline can be just as bad as a lack of control when it comes to the best way of bringing up a family, new findings show. (Read: Eminem: Drug addiction nearly killed me)

'Extremes are not effective, neither authoritarianism nor absence of control and affection,' said Amador Calafat of the European Institute of Studies on Prevention in Mallorca, Spain. In fact, children with authoritarian parents who show little affection are more likely to go off the rails. However, those whose parents shower too much love are also more likely to smoke cannabis or cigarettes and to drink. (Read: Lady Gaga was a drug addict reveals former friend)

The study, which was conducted across six European countries, involved almost 8,000 youngsters aged between 11 and 19 who were questioned on the kind of parenting styles they had received. Calafat said that different parental approaches are helpful in different scenarios. The study appeared in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. (Read: Treat drug addiction seriously: Demi Lovato)

What is drug addiction?

It is also known as substance dependance. It is defined as a compulsive need to use drugs to function normally. Drug addiction does not only relate to drugs, it includes addiction to prescription medication, alcohol addiction and smoking. A person usually encounters the addictive agent casually but soon becomes so dependant on it that he/she require it to function. Drug addicts most often want to quit the habit but find it difficult to do so on their own. For this reason, there are a number of de-addiction clinics for example AAA (alcoholics anonymous) etc. Some reaserch shows that an addict's brain reacts to addictive agents differently when comapred to those who are not addicted, leading to the idea that addiction might be a genetically aquired trait. The use of drugs causes both instant and long term damage to the body and mind. For example, they cause halucinations, lack of inhabition, depression, euphoria,excess hunger etc. immidiately upon ingestion and loss of memeory, lack in brain function, damage to various organs in the body, rotting of the teeth and even cancer in the long run.

How to deal with drug addiction?

• Acceptance - Be ready to put a cap on your problem. Decide that you want to make a change and STOP using drugs. The desire to get better helps fight the addiction better.
• Take support - Start being honest with yourself and your loved ones. Support is very essential for recovery. When you have the support of your loved ones, treatment and recovery becomes emotionally easier. You know you can lean on them for encouragement, security, comfort and guidance.
• Rehabilitation - Rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment. The treatment for dealing with drug addiction is not just kicking the habit. It involves addressing various aspects of your life including personal and professional life. It also involves getting ready to face the world again. It primarily involves getting rid of your dependence on a substance which caused you to think, act and feel differently which was harmful to yourself and the society.
• Address the issue - Dealing with the addiction also means that you have to address the issue that led you to your drug habit. It may have been for any number of reasons mentioned above. And those triggers may still appear in your life. You need to find a healthy way to deal with these issues. The feelings that you were trying to hide from by using drugs will start resurfacing. You have to learn to deal with them in a healthier manner. Consider Psychotherapy and Counselling.
• Support groups - Join a support group and attend the meetings regularly. When you interact with people who have a similar problem, their stories and experiences will encourage you as they know exactly what you are going through. (Read: Dealing with drug addiction)

With inputs from IANS

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