Children from substance abusing families are more likely to have learning disabilities; repeat more grades; attend more schools; and are more likely to be truant, delinquent and drop out of school because of pregnancy, expulsion or institutionalization.

Children whose parents drink too much or use other drugs may:

• be preoccupied or tired because of home events and unable to concentrate in school or other activities

• work below their potential because their energy is focused on the substance abuser;

• be reluctant to bring friends home due to embarrassment about the addicted parent's behavior;

• witness physical or emotional abuse between family members, or experience it themselves; and

• be unable to focus on homework because of fighting, tension or worry at home;

• take on developmentally inappropriate responsibility for household, siblings or parents.