Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development a Closer look on Alcohol and Other Drugs Addictions

In child development, it is widely accepted that children strive in a healthy and loving environment, and “nurturing and responsive interactions build healthy brain architecture that provides a strong foundation for later learning, behavior, and health” (Shonkoff, 2006). Unfortunately, children living in the alcohol and other drug addiction household seldom receive that nurturing and mostly supportive feedback that can help them grow. These children live in the inconsistency and constant threat of maltreatment because no one knows what will happen when mom or dad is under the influence. The vulnerability of these children needs to be known so that they can receive protection. Furthermore, “growing up in households affected by alcohol abuse, alcoholism and abuse of other substances adversely impacts children, including social, emotional, and cognitive problems—and can result in reverberations throughout a life time” (Drugs & Alcohol Rehab Asia). Children living in these environments are believed to undergo what The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2005) referred to as Toxic Stress: “strong, frequent, and/or prolonged activation of the body’s stress-management systems in the absence of the buffering protection of adult support. Precipitants include extreme poverty, recurrent physical and/or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, severe maternal depression, parental substance abuse, and family violence.” (Shonkoff, 2006). Even more alarming is the fact that toxic stress “ disrupts brain architecture and leads to stress-management systems that establish relatively lower thresholds for responsiveness that persist throughout life, thereby increasing the risk of stress related physical and mental illness well into the adult years” (Shonkoff, 2006). Through my work with the children in the Alcohol and other drug communities, I have seen how children can really beat the odds if provided with the right support. Therefore, sitting on the sidelines should not be an option for anyone. We have to act and we have to act now, because somewhere there is a child calling for help and we have to respond. “The people hurt most by drugs and alcohol don’t even use them; they are the CHILDREN of alcoholics and other drug dependent parents.”—National Association for Children of Alcoholics

Disease control and prevention Malaria

Disease control and prevention is also another area that affects children’s development throughout the world and especially in developing countries. It is prevalent in most of sub-Saharan Africa. So many children die of diseases that are preventable in the developing world. For instance, Malaria is widespread in Africa except for the northern countries. It is “a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In 2008, an estimated 190 - 311 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 708,000 - 1,003,000 people died, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) Children are so vulnerable to malaria and they constitute most of the dead. And yet all most of those deaths are preventable. All that is required for protection are sleeping nets, bugs sprays and repellents. And it is not always poverty but education, sanitation and so many issues. If treated, Malaria does not have long term affect on the children’s social, cognitive, or psychosocial development. However if untreated the affected person can die.

For more information on Malaria and how to help visit: http://www.malarianomore.org/