When it comes to addiction, patience and understanding play a crucial role in not just the individual’s life, but in their family’s as well.
Whether it’s a spouse, parent, sibling or other family member, addiction can have a serious impact on their lives, from emotional strain to physical conflicts. By offering support to those experiencing the ripple effects of a loved one’s addiction, you can help them begin to heal.
Here are a few ways substance abuse affects families:
- Emotionally: Addiction causes a whirlwind of emotions for the family members of an addict. Whether it’s from stress from not being able to help their loved one, fear of what’s going to happen to them or sadness for the circumstances, families often feel a deep emotional impact from their loved one’s substance abuse.
- Financially: Whether it’s because of legal fees or bail, many families feel additional strain to their wallet when they are helping someone who is struggling with substance abuse. During this time, family members can also fall victim to theft, when a loved one struggling with addiction is in need of quick cash.
- Psychologically: After finding out a loved one has an addiction, it can be difficult to trust them again, especially if they’ve been caught stealing or lying in the past. Addiction can also cause anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health disorders.
- Physically: When someone is struggling with substance abuse, it can result in violent behavior. This can be caused by a shift in their behavior when they are under the influence, an effect from withdrawal or it could be brought on by someone trying to help their loved one seek help.
- Socially: Addiction can not only cause strain on the relationships between the individual and their family members, but also between their friends and family as well. A family member may pull away from their friends because of stress or they may experience isolation from friends or family members who may judge their situation.
For more information about addiction and the Sober Life Project, please contact us here.
