The abuse of drugs and alcohol raises a child's risk for depression in several ways. If a parent is abusing a substance, his personality is likely to become unpredictable and, at times, irrational. A child with a substance-abusing parent cannot count on him to behave consistently, or even to react to the same situation in a similar way. When a child feels his world is unpredictable, he is going to lack stability and security, important factors in the fight against depression.

Unfortunately, parents with substance abuse problems are more likely to be verbally or emotionally abusive. This type of parent usually feels bad about himself, and under the influence of drugs or alcohol he will project those feelings onto his child. However, the child does not understand this and begins to think that she is bad and causing her parent to abuse substances. This type of child will avoid the parent who is abusing substances in order to stay out of his way and not create any trouble.

Medicating with Drugs and Alcohol

Another way that a parent with substance abuse can create depression for a child is best described in the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Much of the substance abuse today is found among adults who are trying to medicate other issues. For example, if a parent is depressed, stressed, or anxious, he may have a few drinks in order to calm himself down. He believes that this is an easy and quick fix to his problems, and before he knows it, his substance use becomes habitual. A child observes this behavior and begins to believe that this is an acceptable method for handling difficult times.

Competing with Alcohol and Drugs

Drugs and alcohol are powerful mistresses. Abusing these substances very often causes marital discord and even divorce. If this problem causes that much trouble among adults, imagine what a powerful competitor it is for a child! While a parent might say that he is not abusing substances in front of his child, the effects are nevertheless the same. Just like any other activity that becomes habitual, such as work or a sport, drug and alcohol use can make a parent unavailable both physically and emotionally. It is difficult to be a good parent when one is involved with something that takes all this time and energy.

Just as children try to alleviate a parent's depression, children will also try to fix their parents' alcohol and drug abuse. A child might hide alcohol or pour it down the drain rather than see his father use it. What he doesn't realize is that his father can go and buy more, and that this is a futile attempt. The more he tries to fix his parent's problem, the quicker he becomes at risk for depression.