Families And Substance Abuse: How Are They Affected?

Addiction is an illness that many throughout the nation and the world are dealing with. It’s one of the most debilitating illnesses people suffer from that can ultimately cause their death. In certain stages of recovery, it can feel like a constant struggle to attain or maintain sobriety.

Many people suffer in silence and don’t receive the treatment they need. They aren’t the only ones who are suffering silently, however.

Anyone who is in their life, from parents, children, grandparents, and other members of a family is impacted by the addiction. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that the profound effects of addiction in one person can trickle out to other people.

Here are a few different reasons why.

Codependency

In any type of relationship, whether it be platonic, familial, or romantic, there needs to be an even balance of giving and taking. When one person does more taking, it becomes a codependent relationship.

In particular, family members can enable addiction. Not because they want their person to continue to use. But because they are trying to soothe them. They may enable them by taking on all the household duties such as cooking or cleaning. Or they can enable them when the person who is using asks for money. Typically, the person using will ask for money because they will say they need help with bills or utilities. When in reality, they are wanting money to fuel their addiction.

Children

When a parent or caregiver is battling addiction, it especially affects children. Children at any age, are going through the process of growing intellectually as well as emotionally. When a household is chaotic and imbalanced, it can affect the child’s development. It may also cause them to have an insecure attachment with the adults in their life, especially the parent who is using substances. In some cases, the child may be forced to become the caretaker for the adult and lose their chance to fully experience childhood.

In turn, all of these things can dramatically impact their life not only as they grow up, but well into adulthood as well.

Financial Effects

Many families are struggling with finances. However, when you add in a substance use disorder, it can make money even harder to manage. Even if they have a job, any extra income likely goes to purchase their substance of choice. And sometimes, the usage could become so out of control that bills or groceries money could become scarce.

This would obviously have a massive effect on the people who live inside the household with them.

Continuing The Cycle

We aren’t saying that this will happen. As kids grow up in a dysfunctional home that includes substance use, it almost becomes normalized. As they grow older and carry the trauma of their childhood into their teenage years or adulthood, they may end up continuing the cycle. Substance abuse starts off innocently enough; a sip here or a puff there. But as they begin to see how the substance makes them feel better(even if it’s just a temporary high, so to speak) the usage increase.

What once was, “I’m not like my mom or dad, I can control this,” turns into something else entirely.

It should be noted that not every child who grew up in this home will end up using too. But it’s important to know that it can happen, and the chances are increased.

How To Cope With Substance Abuse Disorders

Addiction is a disease that is really hard to manage on your own. What many don’t understand or even some professionals is that addiction goes far beyond just the usage. It’s the mental, emotional, physical, and interpersonal aspects as well.

We specialize in helping the loved ones of substance users, as they often feel isolated and lack support and guidance, they wish they had. If you or a loved one is suffering with substance abuse, reach out to us for addiction counseling soon.