How Drug Addiction Effects The Family

Drug addiction doesn’t just affect the person using substances, drug addiction affects the entire family. It can affect husbands, wives, children, sisters, brothers, Moms, Dads, and more. Nobody is immune from the lingering effects drug addiction can have, and maladaptive coping mechanisms can go on to affect multiple generations down the line.

In this article, we will outline some of the ways substance abuse can affect your loved ones. If any of these situations sound familiar to you or are situations that you would like to avoid, be sure to learn more about our drug rehab in Atlanta to help you kickstart your journey to full recovery.

How Drug Addiction Effects The Family

How Drug Addiction Effects Children

Of all the family members in the household, the children are often affected the most. Growing up with a parent who is an alcoholic or a drug addict can cause emotional and mental issues, from loneliness and guilt to anxiety and depression. To make matters worse, the children who grow up with these negative emotions typically carry them through every aspect of their life, causing them to seek therapy at best or continue the cycle of addiction at worst.

All mental and emotional side effects aside, children can also be physically affected by substance abuse in the home. For instance, a pregnant mother abusing drugs or alcohol can cause their unborn child to develop abnormally, or an abusive parent relying heavily on substances may hurt the children in many seen and unseen ways.

In other cases, the household’s finances being taken over by expensive drugs and alcohol can lead to children not receiving the education they need nor the food they require to grow properly. Additionally, financial strain can lead to turbulent home life and even homelessness. In a sense, drug addiction negatively affects every aspect of a child’s life and well-being and leads to the long-term damage that may never fully heal.

How Drug Addiction Effects Significant Others

Those who marry an addict may find out about the problem only later on in the relationship. Such a scenario can cause the marriage to deteriorate and ruin any hopes of reconciliation. Oftentimes, this situation leads to a messy, bitter divorce which can worsen the substance abuse issue as a whole. If that does not happen, the partner will likely have to take on a lot more responsibilities in the household, such as caring for the kids and earning enough income, leading to emotional strain and feelings of resentment.

In situations where both parents have a drug or alcohol addiction, life may continue as usual. However, the environment within such a household is not one of happiness, joy, and care. Instead, it is typically fueled by hate and toxicity. Such an environment does not foster healthy relationships as, in most cases, both the abusers will rather focus on their drug satisfaction than nurture the relationship between them or with their children.

Regardless of the specifics of the situation, an environment with addiction at its center is not a place for children or adults. As you may have experienced firsthand, drug addiction causes hurt. It’s highly encouraged that the sober partner does their best to find professional help for their loved one before the damage becomes irreparable.

Find Drug Rehab Today Near Atlanta!

Substance abuse, whether with drugs or alcohol, is never a good thing. It hurts the individual struggling with the substance and, devastatingly, the family, friends, and other people close to them. If you or a family member is battling addiction, it is crucial that you work to find the appropriate professional care to overcome the pull of the substance.

At Inner Voyage Recovery Center, we offer three different levels of care that include Partial Hospitalization Programming, Intensive Outpatient Programming, and more. While the journey to recovery is not easy, tackling and overcoming addiction may be the thing you need to bring your family back to the way things once were, giving your loved ones a chance to live and enjoy the life they deserve. But remember, though it may be tough, you are not alone in this fight.

Inner Voyage Recover Center is a drug and alcohol rehab center with effective programs geared towards offering tailored solutions to help addicted individuals regain their lives once more. Get in touch with us today and see how we can help!