When any member of a family struggles with a substance problem, the whole family experiences serious consequences
An addiction may be hidden or obvious, but it is never harmless. Everyone surrounding an addict pays the price for his addictive lifestyle, whether through lost relationships or exposure to dangerous situations.
Too often, families live with addiction by hiding the disease and compensating for the addicted person. While the best answer for anyone with an addiction is to get well, too often people go without treatment. Addiction affects an estimated 22.7 million Americans, but only a small percentage of the people who need treatment (2.5 million) get it, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
While it can seem easier in the moment to ignore the problems brought on by addiction, there are serious consequences to living with the disease. The following three issues highlight the importance of getting help and improving the overall family dynamics.
Addiction Harms Family Structure
Addiction does not happen in a vacuum — it reaches out in unusual and harmful ways, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In a family with young children, the children may create a fantasy world to hide from a parent’s addiction. Or, some children may take on adult roles as a way to cope with chaos and disorder in the house.
Young children are particularly vulnerable to an addicted person, because they cannot protect themselves and they do not understand why a person would behave erratically. More than eight million children live with at least one parent with a substance addiction, according to the U.S. Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN). These children are at greater risk for abuse and neglect because of the inability of an addicted caregiver to think rationally and maintain a safe and supportive home. In addition, a person with an opium addiction is more likely to spend money on drugs instead of spending money on groceries, clothing and a safe living environment.
Addiction Destroys Safety in the Home
Children who live with an addicted parent are at greater risk for physical violence and emotional problems. Young children also may experience long-term psychological problems when cared for by a person with an addiction, according to the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (AAETS). When a parent suffers with opium addiction, it’s more common for the household to be chaotic. Meals may happen at unpredictable times, violent arguments may be common and children may feel scared about the well-being of a parent or scared of the parent’s actions. It’s also common for communication to break down when a family member is addicted; people in the household may be confused about what is going on and misunderstandings may happen frequently.
Addiction Affects Family Members’ Mental Well-Being
In addition to the chaos and physical unpredictability created by an addiction, the disease harms the emotional well-being of everyone in the family, according to SAMHSA. It is common for everyone in the household to dwell on complaints and negative thoughts. Since positive actions are often ignored, family members may act out or create a crisis to get attention. Children in this situation may be confused about the line between right and wrong, because there are no rules or rules are enforced on an inconsistent basis. Another symptom of a home in chaos is a lack of positive expectations for the future. Children may deny they have any responsibility for actions because of a parent’s opium addiction. Parents may believe they can’t expect anything positive from a child, because he or she struggles with addiction.
For everyone who lives with or around addiction, there are psychological consequences. People in the family suffer with the following issues, according to SAMHSA:
- Chronic anger
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Inappropriate sexual behavior
- Neglected health
- Shame
- Stigma
- Isolation
Getting treatment for the opium-addicted person is the first step toward improving family life, but it’s also important for everyone in the family to receive help. The emotional consequences of addiction should be handled as soon as possible to help everyone achieve positive, emotional well-being.
Need Help Finding Addiction Treatment?
Addiction treatment is a positive, life-changing experience for many people. Parents and other family members who struggle with an opium addiction must get treatment to ensure everyone’s health and safety. In addition to the physical dangers children may encounter if a caregiver is unable to pay attention to them, there are long-term and serious psychological problems that may occur when children are around an opium-addicted person. With so many effective treatments designed to address addiction, there is much to gain from seeking help.
If you or a loved one is suffering from opium addiction, please call our toll-free helpline. Our admissions coordinators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer specific solutions for every person’s unique issues. Take the opportunity to change your life. Call us today.
