Loved Ones and Family

Addiction affects loved ones and family members, including children, spouses, and parents.

Addiction can have short-term and long-term impacts on everyone. 

1. Otherwise, loving homes can be divided. 
2. Conflict can quickly become a normal part of family behavior.
3. Trust breaks down between family members.
4. Relatives are more apprehensive about one another, especially when secrecy is involved.
5. Communication breaks down.
6. Marriages can end.

In Children

One in eight children today grows up in a home where at least one parent abuses drugs or alcohol.

Witnessing the way in which drugs and alcohol cause suffering has long-term effects on children. Children who are exposed to addiction in their loved ones and family members are three times more likely to be physically or sexually abused and neglected. 

Watching a parent abuse drugs can cause developmental delays and long-term emotional and mental disorders in children. Children are more likely to be exposed to violent or aggressive behavior and watch the emotional distress caused by adult family members fighting. 

As children feel neglected and unsafe, they become emotionally and mentally unstable, developing extreme self-blame or guilt, feelings of unworthiness, and other trauma.

In Teenagers

Teenagers are more likely to underage drink and abuse marijuana if they are exposed to addiction in loved ones and family members. Teenagers have trouble developing their identity and are more likely to succumb to peer pressure in school.

Teenagers and children who witness loved ones and family with addiction are more likely to run away from home, which causes emotional distress for the parents. They are also more likely to have problems with school performance. When teenagers see parental distress because of abuse, they are more vulnerable to emotional, economic, and sexual exploitation.

In Adults 

Spouses are more likely to suffer abuse if they have loved ones and family with addiction. If a spouse is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can lead to a loss of sexual intimacy, exposure to drugs, or reckless behavior. 

Adults can experience problems with stealing money to support a habit and financial hardship. As a result, communication issues with the spouse and the children and a high risk of physical or emotional abuse.

In The Home

In the home in general, regardless of age or relationship, when one loved one or family member has an addiction, the entire household can be negatively impacted. Friends and family in the household might be subject to reckless behavior. They might see drug abuse or alcohol abuse in the home.

Prevail Recovery offers top-rated South Florida addiction treatment for loved ones and family.