Drug addiction generally begins as a voluntary choice to take drugs. Over time, however, brain alterations from the drugs affect an individual's ability to control impulses in regard to taking the drugs. The National Institute on Drug Addiction refers to drug addiction as a "chronic, often relapsing brain disease." Drug addiction impacts an individual's health, ability to work, relationships and family.
Abuse and Neglect
Drug addiction may cause an increase in emotional or physical abuse or neglect in regard to the children in the family, resulting in long-term effects. According to Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Child Trauma Academy at Baylor College of Medicine and lead author of "Neglect in Childhood," physical and emotional neglect in children can severely impact multiple areas of a child's development. Spouses may be at risk of domestic violence. Additionally, the family of a drug abuser is at risk for injury from careless actions in the home or while driving.
Emotional Stress
First Step Services, a counseling center for alcohol and drug abuse treatment, suggests that families feel resentment, worry, self-pity, anger, guilt and shame over a family member's drug addiction. These emotions may be so large that they cause a family member to hide and be secretive, depressed and unable to sleep. Children are particularly susceptible to suffering from emotional stress. Some family members may neglect their own friends, hobbies and health, as they spend time covering up and making excuses for the addicted family member.
Financial Strain
Families dealing with drug abuse endure financial stresses. The drug abuser may lose her job. A spouse may need to work additional hours or take a second job to cover the drug addict's spending excesses. The family unit may need to cancel planned expenditures, such as vacations, or reduce expenditures in other ways to stay afloat financially.
