The Effects of Substance Abuse on Families - Addiction Resources (2023)

Substance use disorders, including drug and alcohol addiction, affect an estimated 21 million people in the United States: people with siblings, parents, children, and spouses.

While drug and alcohol abuse may seem like a lonely battle, the truth is that it doesn't just affect the person struggling. It also affects those who love and care about you the most.

Families, no matter how big or small, tend to act as one. When a family member experiences a disruption in her life as a result of drug use, that disruption can extend to the family as well.

Substance Abuse in Families: How Big Is the Problem?

It is estimated that about one in eight children under the age of 17 in the United States, or about 8.7 million children, lives with at least one parent who had a substance use disorder in the past year.

Substance use disorder is a complex illness that can affect virtually every aspect of a person's life. This refers to the repeated abuse of substances such as drugs or alcohol in a way that interferes with a person's ability to function normally.

Substance abuse is a common problem. Millions of Americans report the abuse of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and alcohol each year. And unfortunately, this can have a series of repercussions, both in the lives of people and their families.

Is addiction a family disease?

Research suggests that drug and alcohol use disorders likely have a genetic component, just like other mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.

Read more about addiction as a family disease

How common is substance abuse in families?

It is estimated that about 21 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder, and that number includes children as young as 12.

Read more about how drug abuse runs in families

Recognize the signs of substance abuse in a family member

Signs of drug or alcohol abuse are not always obvious. However, because substance dependence is a progressive disease, the signs of this problem often become more apparent over time.

Physical, mental and behavioral symptoms

Substance abuse in children, adolescents, and adults can be identified by a variety of physical symptoms, behavioral, mood, and cognitive effects.

Physical symptoms can vary depending on the type of medication and the amount of medication used.

However, common physical symptoms of substance abuse include:

• Red eyes
• abnormal changes in energy levels
• changes in pupil size
• Weight changes (increase or decrease)
• sleep more or less than usual
• difficulty speaking
• Balance and coordination disorders
• unusual body or breath odors
• tremors in the hands, arms, or legs
• excessive runny or runny nose

Common behavioral signs of substance abuse include:

• Withdrawal of friends and family.
• avoid family gatherings
• Acting angry, hostile, or defensive for no apparent reason
• changes in appetite
• hanging out with new friends or social groups
• Conceal drugs or alcohol
• got into legal trouble for drug use
• Neglecting school, work or family.
• sell valuable items to buy drugs or alcohol

Common Effects of Substance Abuse on the Brain:

• distress
• Depression
• irritability
• frequent mood swings
• bad concentration
• memory problems
• see or hear things that are not there
• Delusions (i.e. false beliefs)
• Paranoia
• lack of joy or interest

Signs of Substance Abuse in Teens

Substance abuse can affect children and teens in different ways than adults, in part because teens and young adults are still developing.

Young people also participate in various activities. They go to school. You explore your interests. However, major changes in mood and behavior could be a sign of a larger problem.

Common signs of substance abuse in adolescents and young adults include:

• flee
• frequent mood swings
• skipping class or school entirely
• changes in eating habits
• unusual challenge or aggression
• impaired school performance
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Decreased appearance and personal hygiene.
• troubled relationships with friends or family

Learn more about getting help for a teen struggling with substance abuse.

Roles of the family in addiction

In homes with addiction problems, family members often assume some type of role, and this is not necessarily the intention. It doesn't always happen right away.

Common family roles in addictions are:

• Addicted*:Person with addiction to alcohol or drugs.
• Scapegoat:The person or "problem child" living in the family who often diverts attention from the "addict."
• Moderator:Also known as a "caretaker," someone who often covers up the "addict's" problems to protect their loved one from the consequences.
• Held:As a "facilitator" the hero can try to cover up the shortcomings of the "addict" and try to solve the problem of his beloved.
• Pet:This is the "clown" of the group, perhaps pulling pranks or attempting to soothe the "addict" and family with humor, often masking their own anxiety or depression.
• lost Boy:The son of the family who gets lost in the crowd. He may feel abandoned, alone, and isolated from others.

Read more about how family roles affect addiction

*Our goal is to remove all stigma associated with substance use disorders in order to better serve those in need of treatment. However, we have included some obsolete and well-known terms to provide an overview of their meaning in context where necessary.

The reversal of family roles

Addiction can lead to role reversal in the family. For example, children may be forced to assume the role of parents.

This role reversal, especially in children and young adults, can have lasting emotional and psychological effects and increase the risk of psychological and behavioral problems.

Learn more about reversing family roles in addiction

Effects of Substance Abuse on Families

Research shows that substance abuse affects families in many ways and can affect a family's health in many ways.

Common characteristics of families affected by substance abuse include:

• higher rates of abuse, neglect and violence
• lasting effect on children
• higher rates of infidelity
• co-pending
• disturbed relationship patterns

Read more about the impact of addiction on families

How does parental drug use affect children?

Growing up with a parent who has a drug or alcohol problem can have both short- and long-term effects on children, including impacts on mental health, education, and personality.

Effects of parental drug abuse on children

Effects on spouses of addicts

Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol can tear relationships apart, cause immense pain, and leave spouses not knowing who they have married and whether they can stay to help.

Read more about how spouses are affected by their partner's addiction

Effects on parents with addicted children

Parents of children, adolescents, and adults with substance use disorders can experience significant emotional and mental distress.

Having a child can inspire a sense of responsibility to be the hero, fix it, and ensure the health and safety of your child, completely and unconditionally.

Read more about the impact of addiction on parents

Effects on siblings, friends, and extended family members

Substance abuse can affect siblings, friends, and family members who play an active role in a person's life. Siblings in particular may feel the effects of their sibling's addiction acutely.

Read more about the effects of substance abuse on siblings, friends and family

addiction and divorce

Some spouses may choose to divorce their dependent spouse before, during, or after starting treatment. All these paths are valid as long as you feel that the time is right.

Read more about addiction and divorce

Are domestic and sexual abuse related to substance abuse?

Some studies show that children of parents with drug or alcohol problems are more likely to experience domestic and sexual violence, either by their parents or by another person.

Read more about how addiction can lead to domestic and sexual abuse.

Addiction and infidelity: are they linked?

Many types of drugs are known to alter a person's inhibitions, judgment, and behavior. Especially when drug use becomes a problematic and compulsive habit.

This can cause people, including the most loving couples, to act in ways they normally would not, such as: B. Infidelity.

Read more about the link between substance abuse and infidelity

Codependency and Substance Abuse in Families

Parents and children can develop codependent relationships with their dependents. Codependency can also become a coping strategy that parents may find necessary or helpful.

Ultimately, however, this can have a detrimental effect on the well-being of both parent and child.

Read more about codependent relationships in people with addiction

Child Neglect and Substance Abuse in Families

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, children of parents with LDS are more likely to be victims of neglect and to be placed in foster care.

Read more about the link between parental addiction and child neglect

Violence and addictions in families

Drugs and alcohol can radically change a person's behavior and mental state when abused intensely and over a long period of time. In some cases, this can lead to violence with certain drugs.

Drug-related violence in any form can affect a family. However, with treatment and time, there may be a path to recovery for some.

Read more about how addiction can lead to violence

Resilience in Substance Abusing Families: Can Families Bounce Back?

Substance abuse can divide families and cause immeasurable pain. But in many cases there is a way to cure.

This can be done through a family-based treatment approach and often requires patience, commitment, and compassion.

Read more about resilience in addiction support for families

Get help for a loved one with a drug or alcohol addiction

There are several paths that families of people with LDS can take to find a treatment program that is right for their family.

Getting help mostly starts with calling a helpline for help or talking to your GP to schedule a drug or alcohol test.

From there, a doctor or hospital specialist can recommend a treatment program or level of care that best meets your family's needs.

Read more about getting help for a loved one with addiction.

How can parents with addiction problems get help?

Wanting to get help for a drug problem is a big step in itself.

Fortunately, there are several ways parents can get help with a drug problem.

The right treatment option for you may depend on the following factors:

• severity of drug abuse
• Duration of drug abuse
• co-occurring medical or mental health problems
• Financial capacity (for example, insurance planning, self-pay)

Read more about treatment options for addicted parents

How can children with addicted parents be helped?

It is common for family friends, teachers, neighbors, and other close children affected by a parent's addiction to want to find help for the child.

Some important points to keep in mind are:

• Be considerate but not overbearing.
• Do not disturb in a way that makes the child uncomfortable (look for visual and verbal cues that indicate discomfort or discomfort).
• Avoid conversations or language that blames the child or assumes that the child does not love his parents.
• Don't make promises to your child that you can't keep.

Substance Abuse in Teens: How to Get Help for Your Teen

More than a million teens in the United States, of all backgrounds, struggle with some form of drug or alcohol abuse. If you're looking for help with a teen, you're not alone.

How can I help a family member overcome addiction?

It is common to feel the need or responsibility to "fix" loved ones or help them overcome their addiction. And there are many steps that family members can take to do this.

For example:

• Help a loved one find treatment
• take a loved one to drug-assisted treatment or a support group
• or just remind them that they are loved

Read more about helping a family member overcome addiction

Ways to Reach a Loved One with an Addiction: Interventions and More

Arranging an intervention for a loved one can, in some cases, be an effective approach to getting a loved one to seek substance abuse treatment.

Still others may benefit more from an individual approach or the intervention of a trusted healthcare professional, e.g. B. a family doctor.

Read more about staging an intervention for a loved one with addiction

Family therapy for drug addicts

One of the most recommended treatments for families with addictions is a family-integrated treatment approach, with services such as family therapy.

Family therapy is a form of therapy that embraces and encourages the participation of the family in a person's treatment process.

Read more about family therapy during addiction treatment

Substance abuse education to support your loved one's recovery

Substance abuse education can be an important prevention and recovery tool for everyone, but especially for individuals and families directly affected by addiction.

Read more about drug abuse education for family members

Self-help groups and addiction therapy for families

In the United States, there are several support groups such as Al-Anon that specifically help children, parents, spouses, and other family members affected by addiction.

Read more about support groups for addicted families

Tips for Communicating During Your Family Member's Recovery

Supporting a loved one in recovery extends not only to a person's actions, but also to their words and communication style.

But that doesn't mean you have to question everything you say. There are some important tips, such as B. Respect your loved one's boundaries, which can be helpful in the early days of your loved one's recovery.

Read more about how to communicate with a loved one in recovery.

The role of the family in addiction healing

Fighting addiction may be a family affair, but so is recovery from a more hopeful perspective.

The family can play a key role in guiding loved ones to treatment and supporting them on their journey to recovery.

Support the recovery of your loved ones

Choosing to take an active role in your loved one's recovery can create a sense of healing.

Through a structured treatment process, your loved one and family can learn more about how to do this in a way that meets everyone's mental, emotional, and interpersonal needs.

For example:

• allow vs. support a loved one's addiction recovery
• Breaking the cycle of addiction in families

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Abuse in Families

Find answers to common questions about substance abuse and addiction in families.

❓ What do you learn in family therapy for addictions?

✔️ Family therapy is a type of counseling that can help families improve their communication skills, conflict resolution, and family goal setting.

Common examples of what is discussed during family therapy:

• communication standards
• emotional expression
• Set goals for individuals and family members.
• how loved ones can support family members in recovery
• needs of family members
• relapse prevention planning
• Create healthy boundaries

In addition, there are different modalities of family therapy (eg, behavioral family therapy) and types of family therapy (eg, family group therapy, private family sessions).

Read more about seeking family therapy during recovery

❓ How do drugs harm your family?

✔️ Substance abuse can harm families in many ways: financially, emotionally, socially, and legally. It can get even more complicated when children are involved.

❓ How does drug use by family members affect people's lives?

✔️ Substance abuse, including alcohol abuse, can affect virtually every aspect of a family's life.

Substance abuse can affect:

• sense of security
• Trust
• family dynamics
• family roles
• school and work
• ability to care for family members

❓ How does drug addiction affect someone's life?

✔️ Drug addiction can affect people's lives in many ways. It can have legal and social consequences, affecting your health, your behavior and even your self-esteem.

Drug addiction can turn you into a person you don't recognize. It can affect your emotions, mental state, thoughts, and priorities.

There is no single model of how drug addiction appears in a person's life, nor its effects. Drug addiction can be mild, moderate, or severe in nature.

❓ What is it like to have a drug addict father?

✔️ Growing up with an addicted parent can be difficult. In order to care for themselves and sometimes their addicted parents, children are sometimes forced to take on the role of caretaker.

In other words, essentially a role reversal. And it can have a profound impact on the way a child forms and maintains relationships with others, including her addicted parents.

❓ How can I get help for drug addiction without my family knowing?

✔️ Getting help for drug addiction can be done confidentially, although some exceptions may apply for minors, addicts and some others.

For example, many treatment hotlines offer confidentiality. In some cases, state guardianship and parental notification laws may apply.

❓ How do I make up for lost time with my family after years of substance abuse?

✔️ Although it may be a lot of work or even some kind of family therapy,make up for lost family timeit's possible.

What it looks like depends on your family composition, your relationships with loved ones, and what they need from you.

❓ Is an addictive personality genetic?

✔️ The existence of an "addictive personality" is controversial. Much evidence suggests that drug and alcohol addiction may have genetic factors.

Additionally, personality traits can also be learned or influenced by those you grew up with, including your parents, siblings, and other people in your household.

Read more about addictive personalities and genetics

Written byAddiction Resources Editorial Team

This site does not provide medical advice.see more

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