When people have problems with drug use, it usually affects the family dynamic. The use of prescription or illegal drugs can cause someone's personality to change and often affects many different aspects of their life and the lives of those around them. Some common ways problems with these substances affect the family dynamic include issues of accepting responsibility, financial stability, getting along with others and trust.
Financial Stability
Most drugs and substances that people have problems with cost money. Illegal substances, like marijuana and cocaine are expensive, as are prescription drugs like painkillers. When used regularly, the financial burden can become overwhelming. Individuals tend to become very creative in how they pay for these substances, often resorting to selling their possessions or those belonging to family members, neglecting to pay bills or resorting to borrowing or stealing money to pay for it all. Family members may get caught up in the financial disarray, helping to support their siblings or children. This, in turn, puts a financial strain on the person trying to help.
Responsibility
When a person is under the influence of drugs, they may neglect some of their responsibilities. This might include things like providing transportation for children to and from school and extracurricular activities, showing up for work, paying bills, cooking meals and cleaning house. These responsibilities may fall to others who are unwilling or unable to pick up the slack. Those who do take on these responsibilities are frequently overburdened while trying to handle their own as well.
Getting Along
Side effects from substance use include an altered personality, which can take many different form, depending on the individual and the substance used. This might include irritability, apathy, paranoia, restlessness and extreme or erratic moods. This often causes strain on relationships. Family members may be concerned, frustrated or even angered over the change in behavior or its consequences.
Trust
While trust is easily broken, it is not easily repaired. After repeated incidents of coping with financial problems, home responsibilities and personality issues, family members typically begin to lose trust in those having problems due to using drugs. The user also develops trust issues, frequently hiding their habits of spending money they don't have, stealing possessions and concealing their behavior for fear their actions will be discovered. When family members no longer trust each other, they often break apart.
Help
When the family dynamic has been affected or even broken, the substance user may decide they need help in overcoming their problems. There are many programs available, including social education and retreat centers, online classes, drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment.
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