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Author: Gerald Ogbuja
Posted to the web: 2/28/2008 6:54:02 PM

According to CASA'S report (1999), single mom's abuse of alcohol and drug use have overwhelmed the nation's child welfare systems and have seriously affected its ability to protect children. This is why single mom's who abuse substance are considered by some mental health professionals as the least rewarding patients (Edgar, et al., 2007). Based on reviewed lituerature along with the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnotic and Statistical manual and mental disorders (DSM-IV), abuse and dependence include but not limit to symptoms such as physical danger, trouble with the law due to substance use, increased tolorance, and interference in everyday life.
Substance abuse among single mothers is a significant problem in the world. The World Health Organization (2004) estimates that there are more than 200 million users of illict drugs in the world. The 2000 current population survey estimated that 96 percent of children younger than 18 years of age lived with at least one parent who abuse substance (NHSDA Report, 2003).  In 2001, NHSDA estimated that almost 70 million children younger than 18 years of age lived with at least one parent. This staggering number includes single mom's who live independently as they raise their children singlehandedly. Parental substance abuse affects children well-being and development and their ability into responsible adulthood. Illegal drugs have both physical and psychological side effects to both children and the abuser. The effects include: thought disturbances and mental alteration. Lisa & Jeanette (2007) articulated that substance has the capacity to illicit negative emotionality (NEM) and impulsivisty, antisocial personality (PD), borderline personality disorder (PD), and narcissistic diorder(PD). Research indicte that substance 'blocks' behavior to the level that it reduce the experience of emotion (secondary avoidiance of affect) while opitate abuse is associated with a tendency to aviod emotions being activited (Jenet, Joanna et al, 2007).
Researchers beleive that single mom who abuse substance experience  more stressful life events than married mothers do and therfore are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety and other forms of mental distress. Logically, when single moms face these difficulties (anxiety, depression and mental distress), it affects their emotion and psychology. However, parenting so to speaks requires one to excellently care for oneself. And if an abuser is incapable of taking care of oneself, it would be difficult to care for another. And when one lack the ability to care for oneself, one would find it hard to care for one's child both physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological and mental needs.
Studies have also shown that substance abuse among single moms interrupts children's normal development, placing them at a higher risk of emotional, physical, and mental health problems that include: higher rates of physical illnesses, generally beleived to be manifested by increased stress; three to four times more likely to form an addiction to alcohol or other drugs; higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicide attempts compared with their peers (Berganio, 2006). Sequel to stress and anxiety, environmental problems may trigger physical and sexual abuse, limited financial and social support, or other serious problems such as homelessness, legal issues and health problems.
The emotional and psychological effects of substance include medical condition, emplyment, drug use, illigal acitivity, family relations and psychiatric conditions (Vadham, et al, 2006). Also, major depression with comobidity and psychiatic substance use disorder relate to the increase in health problems (Sobell, et al, 2007). Abusers always experience euphoria; increased alertness, and sexual urgies; and decreased fatigue and appetite (Ostler, et al, 2007). Several theories  suggests that single-mothers families will be less effective at socializing sons and daughters to the influence of substance. The reason is because single mom's are reported to be struggling simultaneously with the dual responsibilies of earning good livelihood and childrearing (Bhave, 1983). Considering status as a factor or social issue, single moms are prone to develop feelings of inferiority, aggression and restlessness (Rani, 2003). While the comparism are minimal, single moms with youths at home report they worry more and report a higher level of emotion and anxiety.