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How Addiction Affects Families

By on June 26, 2015
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Addiction touches so much more than just the body of the person who uses a drug or even alcohol. Substance addiction touches every part of a human life. The toxic substance can ruin a body, the mind, relationships, bank accounts, and so much more.

Families often feel the impact of addiction in one way or another. Many substance users will often steal from family so that they may have the money to purchase the drugs or alcohol. These same users will often lie which causes a trust issue within the family. Depending on the substance that the person uses they may or may not be able to control their behavior and the other family members may become embarrassed to have them around in a group or public setting.

Substance use can also affect a family hierarchy and will cause dysfunction in it. As parents are their children's role models the children may grow up using if they grow up with that as a normal occurrence in their own household. The right group therapy will help address some of the problems with the relationships with loved ones that may have deteriorated during the person's substance use. Family therapy may be another avenue that will help to rebuild the broken relationships once the addict has received some help for the substance problem.

Faith has been part of addiction programs for many years. It is often mentioned in many of the 12 step programs, like AA and NA. People with addictions come from all walks of life and have many different belief systems. Many programs cater to the variances in faith and instead of placing a name on the spiritual leader they will often refer to it as the higher power so that everyone can take part in the program without feeling as if their own belief is being neglected.

In a group setting a substance user may learn vital information they will need to help them on their road to sobriety. The user could find out the triggers for their choice of substance. Finding out what happens just before they choose to seek out the substance and use it may be key in helping the individual avoid those circumstances until they get a little stronger in their sobriety. Group sessions could also help identify what behaviors may need to be changed that once revolved around using the substance. Many sessions in group therapy will address the real costs of the addiction for the individual and that is just another tool they can use to help them stay clean.

Faith-focused addiction programs help the substance user to see that they do have someone there for them even when no one is visibly around. Faith not only provides support from something bigger than the need for the substance is but it also lends in the belief that they will be held accountable by that same being. These types of programs have been around since the late 1930's and are still going strong today. The longevity of faith-focused programs and of 12 Step Addiction Recovery programs proves that they do work for those that want the help.

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