Drug addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There are always other people around. Although you’re suffering from the physical and psychological effects, loved ones hurt, too. There are five noteworthy effects of drug addiction on family members.
1. Financial Problems Lead to Food Insecurity and Instability for Children
The effects of drug addiction on family members during their childhood years can create lasting problems. Drug abuse is an expensive habit. You may spend every dime you can on your next fix. That doesn’t leave a lot for the bills.
It affects children the most. They may not receive the care they need. Going without the essentials wears them down. They may grow up to fear and expect neglect.
2. Effects of Drug Addiction on Family Members Include Emotional Trauma
Your loved ones try to help you quit. You make frequent promises that you break as quickly as you say them aloud. You lie, cheat, steal, and manipulate. Your parents, partner, children or other close family members suffer severe emotional trauma.
3. Breakdown of Family Units
Eventually, your spouse may have enough of the promises you make and quit the relationship. Maybe a set of grandparents steps in and petitions a court to grant them custody of your children. You isolate yourself from family members. You feel guilty, but the cravings for the drug are too intense.
4. Mistrust, Jealousy, and Strife
Your mom tries to help you and gives you money to pay your bills. Your dad knows that you spend it on drugs. He stops trusting her judgment. Siblings become jealous that you get the financial help they don’t.
5. Isolation of the Family
Many times, the person using drugs will go into seclusion. A family that stays with you will do the same. Your spouse won’t feel comfortable allowing friends or other family members to visit. Your children may not talk to outsiders about what goes on inside your house.
When things get bad, the family moves. This step prevents the formation of a support network. It isolates all members of the family. The long-term effects of drug addiction on family members can last well into the children’s adult lives.
Detox is an Answer to Addiction
Do you need any more proof that addiction is a destructive habit? You probably already knew that your drug abuse was tearing apart your family. Quitting starts with drug detox.
There, you work with therapists to withdraw from the substance. Examples of treatments include:
- Medication management that keeps you comfortable and free of pain
- Psychotherapy program, which allows you to identify areas of negativity you want to fix
- Talk therapy that facilitates one-on-one meetings with a therapist
- Group therapy program, which provides peer feedback and support
- Family therapy program for addressing some of the effects your drug habit has had on those closest to you
When you’re ready to quit using, Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston can help. You don’t have to deal with the effects of drug addiction on family members if you bite the bullet and get sober. Show them that you’re serious about quitting drugs this time. Call 866.516.8356 now.
