A person who is addicted to marijuana can affect his family in ways that may not be realized. As the drug takes over the addict, it will change him mentally, emotionally and physically. Signs of addiction include bloodshot eyes, slow reaction time, irritability and mood swings. While the marijuana is in the person's system, she may seem euphoric, relaxed and hungry. As the marijuana leaves his system, he may seem sedated. The family of an addict may feel angry, hurt, depressed or tired of the addiction. An addict who is unwilling to get help may tear his family apart.
Effects
When you think someone in your family is using marijuana, you may try to find signs that she is using the drug and this desire to notice the signs may take over your life. You may find yourself constantly worrying about the addict and her habits. You may feel angry, hurt, depressed or tired of the addiction. There is usually a financial strain on the addict, and possibly her family, because the addict will usually do anything she has to do to get the drug. This may include borrowing money or stealing from family members.
Risks
If the addict is a parent or if he is around children, he may put the children at risk because of his slowed reaction times. Some of the short-term effects of marijuana caused by the THC in the drug include impaired judgment, loss of motor function and decreased problem-solving abilities. When a parent is caring for a child, these effects are dangerous. If the addict is driving, he may not have a reaction time fast enough to avoid an accident. The child may take a bath while in the addict's care and slip or drown because the addict has a loss of motor function. Additionally, the addict may forget to properly care for the child.
Considerations
Enabling the addict by giving into her drug-related desires can be detrimental to her health and yours. While it is important to have realistic expectations of the addict, you can't provide her with the tools she needs to do the drug. At times, it may be difficult to not give in to the addict, but staying strong is necessary to minimize the effects her drug abuse has on you.
Long-Term Consequences
Marijuana can affect the abuser's long-term health, which can have very serious impacts on the family. Marijuana can cause cancer. It can attack the immune system, lungs and airways. These conditions can cause the addict to spend time in the hospital and may eventually lead to death. Having a family member in the hospital is difficult and may put the addict's family at a greater risk of financial and emotional difficulty. In some cases, the addict may be unable to care for himself, which means the family must decide if he will be placed in a nursing home or cared for by family members.
Treatment
Once an addict is willing to get treatment for her addiction, the effects of the drug abuse on her family will continue for a long time. Because her family probably lost trust in her, she will have to prove herself to them. This may put the family members in a difficult position because they want to trust her and they want her to stay sober, but there may still be doubt that she is actually staying away from the drugs. If inpatient treatment is required, her family may have to care for her affairs, such as paying her rent or other obligations, while she is in treatment.
