Aside from the personal effects of drug addiction, the disease can cause problems for everyone around the addict as well. The person may have a drug addiction to alcohol, illicit substances such as cocaine, heroine, opiate pills and prescription drugs such as narcotic pain killers. The behaviors and effects, however, usually occur in the same way. The drug of choice eventually requires full attention from the addict.
Infant Exposure to Drugs
Drug-addicted women who become pregnant can pass the addiction on to their unborn children. During pregnancy, the child suffers the affects of drug addiction which can include low birth weight and prematurity, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports. The baby will arrive addicted to the same drug as the mother, and need to go through detoxification. The exposure to the drugs also will cause problems for the child in later life. These problems may include learning disabilities and negative behaviors resulting from exposure to parents who suffer from drug addiction.
Adolescents and Drug Use
Adolescents who suffer from drug addiction find it difficult to cope in society, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The adolescent may have trouble focusing on schoolwork and a tendency to display negative behaviors. She may fall into violent situations. She may use sex to get drugs, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies and a risk of becoming infected with diseases.
Adults and Drug Abuse
Adults find it difficult under the influence of drugs to properly perform their jobs, which increases their chances of becoming unemployed. Drug addiction effects on an adult's behavior may cause strained and broken relationships. Negative behaviors include inappropriate conduct, continued illicit use of drugs, stealing and lying to obtain drugs, and drug-induced irritability, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Drug Use by Parents
When parents use drugs, the household environment often loses its home-like atmosphere. The children lose their sense of feeling nurtured and often become neglected by the drug-addicted parents. Parental use of illicit drugs also may cause children to naturally fall into addiction.
