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Addiction in Families
Drug or alcohol addiction is a complex problem that affects not only the person suffering, but also their immediate family. Children of adults with substance use disorders may exhibit behavior that is uncharacteristic of normal children, including trouble sleeping and acting out in school. These behaviors often do not become apparent until the child is older. Unfortunately, most of the damage is done beneath the surface.
Addiction is a family disease, affecting not just the person with the addiction but also their children, spouses, brothers, sisters, and other relatives. In addition, family life may become violent or abusive, creating situations that can be dangerous and destructive. Sometimes, this violence and abuse exists before the addiction develops, causing pain and distress, which initially leads to drug and alcohol use.
Several effective treatments are available at The Haven Detox-New Jersey, to help you or a loved one quit substance use and repair your relationships.
Treatment Services
Treatment for alcohol and drug use include inpatient residential treatment and medical detox. Both options offer intensive, medically integrated treatment, psychotherapy, and holistic options. While residential programs can include many therapeutic opportunities and sessions daily, successful recovery usually begins with detox.
Medical detox is a critical first step in treatment for addiction, ensuring that the patient’s physical health is stable enough to engage in therapy. Though not always a part of addiction treatment, it is often a prerequisite for entering rehab. Because of the nature of addiction, an individual must be under the care of trained professionals skilled in stabilizing withdrawal symptoms and addressing co-occurring disorders with medications and more. After detox, residential rehab is an inpatient program that offers behavioral therapy, supervised living, and other supportive services.
Addiction in the Family
Drug addiction is a chronic illness that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. It affects relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Children of adults with addictions often experience stress and marital problems later in life. Their spouses, in turn, may experience more significant challenges and suffer more financial hardships than others. In addition, children of adults with substance use disorders may experience mental pain and anguish, among other serious difficulties.
Siblings of people with addiction feel many of the same challenges. They may feel neglected by their parents, who focus their attention on their child suffering from addiction. While some choose not to follow the same path as their sibling, many use drugs or alcohol to escape their pain and draw attention to themselves. In addition, the family may be financially impacted because addiction makes people unable to succeed at work, which can make families unstable.
Family counseling can benefit everyone involved. You can get family-centered treatment at The Haven Detox-New Jersey. Our therapy program helps the addicted and family members explore the effects of addiction and recognize their roles in coping with the situation. A professional team helps the entire family acknowledge the areas in which they have control over their lives.
There are many signs that someone may be struggling with drug addiction. For example, if your loved one misses work or school regularly, you might suspect them of having an addiction. Eventually, these missed work or school days can turn into complete absences. The person may even get kicked out of school or lose their job. When these indicators appear, it is time for you to consider the possibility of drug addiction treatment.
It is vital to have the support of close friends and family during the recovery process. One good idea is to seek counseling and family therapy. If you’re feeling isolated, consider enrolling in a sober social group. You should also avoid hanging out with people who are involved in drug use. It can help to attend local community events and volunteer work.
The Haven Detox-New Jersey has developed highly effective treatment programs, and we’re ready to help. If you’re struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact us at (856) 565-3102.
If you believe your loved one needs help with an addiction problem, you first need to learn about the signs and symptoms of addiction. You might also wish to have a family meeting or an intervention to open communication and explain your fears. Addiction is a severe medical condition and requires a thorough assessment and long-term treatment program under the supervision of a professional practitioner.
The best way to deal with a loved one suffering from addiction is to be supportive and encouraging. If you know that your loved one has an addiction, provide emotional support. Encourage your loved ones and talk positively about their recovery. If your loved ones are feeling isolated and angry, remind them they are not alone.
Support can be an important element to recovery. If you can’t get a friend or family member to seek treatment on their own, consider getting the advice of specialists by calling us at (856) 565-3102.
Causes of Addiction in Family Members
Addiction impacts the whole family. Often, members of a household with addiction suffer in silence as the person struggling with addiction takes up all attention and energy. Family members may also use substances or behaviors (like gambling or risk-taking) to cope with the stress of a family member with addiction.
Addiction in families may be caused by shared biological traits that may be passed on through genes. However, a family member’s environment also plays a role. Some family members have a higher risk of developing an addiction than others, especially in the presence of another family member’s substance use disorder.
You may be more likely to develop an addiction if you have a family history of drug or alcohol abuse. It’s a complex relationship, but there are some things you can do to protect yourself. In the end, prevention is better than treatment. The first step is to recognize the risk factors.
Genetics plays a role in the risk of addiction. In 2017, researchers suggested that genetics are the main cause of addiction issues, but cultural factors also influence its likelihood.
People with substance use disorder tend to use substances that make them feel better, which are usually drugs that are highly addictive, especially when someone is predisposed to a certain substance by a family history of drug or alcohol abuse.
The addiction often consumes parents, who may blame themselves, and attention is shifted away from the other children. While siblings may refuse to follow the path of addiction, others may be tempted to use drugs or alcohol as well. They may turn to substances in an attempt to get away from the chaos at home, repeating a generational cycle of addiction.
Addictive potential is the chance of becoming addicted to a particular drug. When drugs are used repeatedly, they physically change the brain’s pleasure system. This causes a craving for the drug, pushing a person to continue using it. The addictive potential of a particular drug is dependent on several factors, including its chemical makeup, genetics, peer exposure, and the environment.
While genetics is the primary determinant of risk, the environment can play an important role. Growing up in a home with addiction can increase a child’s vulnerability to addiction into adulthood. Regardless, children of addicted adults are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety as adults because they did not learn practical emotion management skills.
When parents have an addiction, their children are likely exposed to the same addictive environments. This is particularly true if parents are using drugs. Drug addiction may result from the parent’s behavior or co-occurring mental health problems. In some cases, a family may have a drug-free household but still suffer addiction problems because a family member used a highly addictive substance, activating issues for all family members.
One of the most effective risk reduction strategies is to get actively involved in the recovery process. This requires careful attention not to lecture, threaten, or moralize family members struggling with addiction. Addiction is a disease and requires more than willpower to overcome.
You’ll find effective therapies and programs at The Haven Detox-New Jersey like the SMART Recovery program. Contact us for more information at (856) 565-3102.
Helping a Family Member with Addiction
If you’re worried about a family member who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the first step is encouraging them to seek treatment. You can do this in various ways, including having a friendly conversation with the person while they’re calm. Make sure you explain the effects of the addiction and why it’s essential for them to seek treatment.
You can also consider staging an intervention to help them get help by getting suggestions from professionals at The Haven Detox. Ask for our help by calling (856) 565-3102.
Effects of Addiction on Families
Addiction is not an isolated illness. Its effects can also forever change relationships with family, friends, and the community. The dynamics of a family can alter dramatically when one family member begins to abuse substances. For this reason, family members need to participate in the recovery process. Without family involvement, an addiction may continue untreated, and family dynamics may sabotage treatment efforts.
Addiction can have devastating effects on children. Children of addicted adults often face physical and emotional abuse. They may develop addictions themselves if they follow their parent’s example. Children who grow up in an addiction-ridden household often repeat unhealthy patterns in their own relationships into adulthood.
Addictive behavior disrupts relationships. People with substance addictions may become more distant from people or act with cruelty. Their behavior can make it difficult for friends and family to get close to them. If you are a family member, it is important to understand the effects of addiction and how it changes your relationships with everyone.
Addiction is a disorder that affects the body, mind, and spirit. It causes problems in every aspect of life, especially in close relationships.
Addiction can have a devastating impact on a family’s finances. People struggling with addiction often steal from their homes, pawn possessions, and squander money from friends and family in order to fund their addiction. They may also be unable to perform their job correctly, miss work or projects, or get into arguments with co-workers. A criminal record makes it even more difficult to find another job if addictive behavior advances to that level.
Besides causing financial hardships, addiction can also cause significant health concerns. Several expenses can be incurred for treating addiction, including increased car insurance premiums and attorney’s fees. An addiction can seriously compromise a person’s health, resulting in increased healthcare costs and higher insurance premiums.
People with substance abuse disorders are more likely to have chronic illnesses and increased mortality. According to a study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, substance abuse patients had a greater risk of 19 of the most common health conditions. In many cases, they also had a higher risk of death at a young age.
Addiction in young adults is a serious problem. It often results in social issues, such as academic difficulties, health problems, and poor relationships. It can also lead to involvement in the justice system. These problems can forever affect the individual, family, and community.
