Who is Affected by Substance Abuse?

We often think of substance abuse as something that only impacts those who struggle with addiction. After all, addiction lives in the mind and body of the person with substance abuse. However, the truth of the matter is that many more people feel the impact of addiction.

Substance abuse impacts many people throughout the world and is not as simple as people who've never encountered it believe. It's a complex condition. More than anything, it's important to remember that addiction is not a choice. Nobody wakes up one day and thinks, "I think I want to become addicted." While they may make choices that lead them to it, many different factors can contribute to addiction.

Keeping this in mind, it's important to remember that somebody's struggle with addiction often impacts many other people in their life.

Who Is Affected by Substance Abuse?

First, let's talk about the concept of codependency. Many people relate this word directly to someone dependent on using. While that is definitely true, the word also refers to the dynamics that two people have with each other. In any relationship, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, there should be an even balance of giving and taking.

Addiction impacts this balance. Most often, the person who struggles with addiction becomes the person who does more taking, while the other person gives more. Unfortunately, codependency is a common occurrence in these types of situations. Often, this is due to family members, friends, or a spouse enabling the addiction.

Now, keep in mind that doesn't mean someone is giving them drugs/alcohol/money to continue to use (although that may be true in some cases). Instead, they may enable the other person by simply taking on all the household responsibilities that were once shared. In most cases, if money is requested, the person with an addiction will say that they need help with bills or other expenses when, in reality, they need money to fuel their addiction. So, unknowingly to the other person, addiction is enabled.

Families

Family members are often the first to feel the effects of a person struggling with addiction. This can include parents, grandparents, and spouses/significant others.

As addiction takes more control over a person's life, it becomes their sole priority. As a result, many healthy relationships are diminished because the person addicted no longer prioritizes these people.

When someone is using, they are often in an altered mental state, whether that be from drugs or alcohol. It's not uncommon to hear about excessive arguments, shouting matches, or tension in a relationship due to the words said. In many cases, the person who is struggling may not even realize what they are doing or saying in the moment due to their altered perception of reality.

Children

Children of a parent who struggles with addiction are especially impacted. A chaotic home life, for any reason, can impact a child's development in many ways. They may even form an insecure attachment style in their adult life with a partner due to being unable to trust their parent fully when they were growing up.

Children are much more receptive and in tune with the things happening around them than many parents realize. In certain cases, a child may end up playing the caretaker role for their parent, causing them not to experience childhood fully.

--

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you aren't alone. While the cost of addiction is high and terrible, there is always hope for a path to recovery. Please reach out to us to learn more about substance abuse counseling and how it can help.