Content
At first substance abuse may seem to just affect the individual using drugs or alcohol. The truth is, over time, everyone becomes affected, including family, friends and sometimes other people addicts come in contact with. The social, emotional and financial costs of substance abuse can be devastating to all concerned.
Some Common Problems
Some of the results of drug or alcohol abuse on any family include, but are not limited to the following:
Increasing arguments and conflicts between spouses or with children. This could escalate and lead to violence. Sadly, these conflicts can be traumatic for young children and even teens. In fact, many children from homes where there is substance abuse may end up becoming addicts themselves.Financial hardship is sometimes one of the prices of substance abuse, especially in families where every cent counts. Drug addicts and alcoholics are inclined to spend without think just to get their fix. The need to get alcohol or drugs often supersedes the needs of the family.Separation and divorce often result from substance abuse as one spouse may feel unable to deal with the emotional and sometimes physical toll.Loss of social status often results when drugs or alcohol use takes over to the point where the addicted person can no longer function in social settings. People will begin to avoid having anything to do the addict and this sometimes spills over to their families as well. Neighbors and friends may stop their children from playing with the addicted person’s children.Ill health is a hefty price to pay for substance abuse. Prolonged exposure to alcohol and drugs will negatively affect the functioning of organs such as the lungs and liver.
Helping the Family
If the family structure is to remain intact, intervention of some sort is needed. This can take many forms. In many cases the addicted family member is sent to rehab. In addition, counseling for all family members is necessary to help them heal and learn how to provide a strong support structure.