Drug abuse has a number of negative effects on a family, which include tearing the family apart, loss of employment, failure in school, increasing domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes. It is a complex disorder that often has other significant physical, emotional and mental effects in the abuser and his family members.
Drug Abuse Definition
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, refers to drug addiction as a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite the detrimental consequences. Drug addiction can be genetically or environmentally influenced. Experimenting with drugs at adolescence also produces vulnerability to chronic use.
Self-Control
Many people think that drug addiction is a social problem involving those who are weak or impoverished. However, because drug addiction is a primary and chronic brain-related disease, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower. As a study published in "Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews" emphasizes, because drug addiction is so complex, even family members find stopping drug abuse difficult, despite the known consequences to their family.
Risks of Violence
Drug addiction exacerbates tendencies for violence against family members, changes sexual relationships and enables spouses to take on unhealthy roles to continue the marriage. Research published in the journal "Clinical Psychology Review" warns that all types of drug abuse can increase the risk of violence. It says cocaine is the illicit drug with the strongest relationship to psychological, physical, and sexual aggression, although marijuana also has a significant association. Sexual performance can decrease with potential long-term effects. Sexual aggression, such as increased potential for marital rape, may occur.
Effect on Children
Children of parents who abuse alcohol or drugs are under greater risk of experiencing physical and emotional neglect and repeating these cycles. A study in "Clinical Psychology Review" notes that there is a higher risk of drug abuse among subjects whose parents also abused drugs. Their inability to deal with the myriad problems associated with drug abuse may be modeled on the parent's inability, such as with the child abusing alcohol, drugs or food, or having suicidal thoughts.
Health and Financial Effects
The additional stress as a result of drug abuse cannot be underestimated, as Tian Dayton, PhD advises on the website Healthy Place. Drug abusers may spend money allocated for food, clothing or rent on drugs, causing further harm, frustration and despair. The addict and spouse may lapse into depression and be at greater risk of physical or mental health problems. If health deteriorates, productivity levels may suffer further.
References
- HealthyPlace.com: Impact of Addiction on Family
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Understanding Addiction
- Skinner, Marilyn and Henri-Jean Aubin. "Craving's Place in Addiction Theory: Contributions of the Major Models." Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, volume 34, issue 4, March 2010: 606-623.
- Hoffman, John and Felicia Cerbone. "Parental Substance Use Disorder and the Risk of Adolescent Drug Abuse: an Event History Analysis, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, volume 66, issue 3, May 2002: 255-264.
- Skinner, Marilyn and Henri-Jean Aubin. "Craving's Place in Addiction Theory: Contributions of the Major Models." Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, volume 34, issue 4, March 2010: 606-623.
