Health care organizations and media resources sound the alarm as drug use rates are constantly increasing. The drug epidemic is fueled by the rise in marijuana and prescription opioids abuse.
There’s another factor that contributes to the problem. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 2020, 13% of Americans either started or increased their substance use due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Addiction often leaves a person with a feeling of utter weakness and inability to cope with the problem. That’s why support is vital. Families, rehabs, drug addiction hotline free at AddictionResource and 12-Step meetings provide help so the person doesn’t feel weak and lonely in his struggle.
How Addiction Impacts the Family
One report revealed that 31.9 million Americans aged 12 years and older used illegal drugs in the last month. 165 million of Americans aged 12 years or drank alcohol and smoked tobacco in the last month.
But substance abuse and addiction affect far more people. Abusers have parents, siblings, spouses, and children. Perhaps, children suffer the most. They may experience loneliness, fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, anxiety, chronic depression, school behavior problems and poor academic performance.
Teenage children who regularly see their parent(s) drink alcohol are 2 times more likely to engage in risky drinking patterns. They are 4 times more likely to develop alcoholism in adulthood in comparison with individuals who grew up in a non-alcoholic household. Adolescents who take drugs often have one or both parents addicted to drugs.
When one partner abuses some substance, a relationship or marriage can come to an end. The couple may face a variety of ruinous episodes like lie and deception, distrust, emotional distance and lack of intimacy, financial problems, domestic violence and abuse. All of these increase the risk of divorce.
When both partners or spouses are addicts, the possibility of divorce may nor increase, but the atmosphere at home will be toxic. If you’re already dealing with some of the mentioned problems, don’t hesitate to call a national addiction hotline for some support and advice.
Spotting the Signs of Substance Abuse
Though you can fear to even think about your loved one being an addict, a delay in addressing the problem may result in a number of consequences for the user. These may be:
- health issues
- reduced self-esteem and self-respect
- dropping out of school or college
- job loss
- ruined friendships and family ties
- violent and risky actions that may end up with traumas
- criminal behavior
- overdose and death.
Early identification and action are significant as they allow to avoid the most serious undesired effects for the user and the whole family as well. Moreover, a recovery process will be easier and faster.
So, how to make sure your suspicions are true? At first, find out the signs and symptoms of substance abuse. It’s easier to detect the worrying changes in appearance, health, and psychological state when you know what to pay attention to.
The Internet, bookstores, and public library have a great amount of information on addiction and its treatment. Also, drug question hotline is available for those having a dependent family member. You can get a free confidential consultation, know more about treatment facilities in your area, and ask for the contacts of addiction treatment specialists or a couple of rehab numbers.
Now when you are knowledgeable, observe the person’s behavior for some time. If you notice several signs that may point to substance abuse, discuss it with other family members. If they agree with you, decide on your further actions.
How to Approach the Problem
An intervention is a direct, heart-to-heart conversation that can start the road to recovery. It involves an organized attempt to confront a loved one with addiction about how their drug use or drinking and addiction-related behavior has affected the whole family. But when it comes to substance abuse, people often deny the existence of the problem.
Whether it is your parent, child, or partner, there are versatile approach techniques for making this conversation easier and less stressful. They are as follows:
- Asking delicate questions like “Are you OK? I’ve noticed you’ve begun drinking more often.”
- Being calm and sympathetic. “I know you are having a difficult time. You can share your worries with me.”
- Mentioning support from other close people. “Your brother/friend is ready to do their best to support you. We have found a good counselor who can help all of us.”
Try to be honest, but don’t turn the intervention into a stream of reproaches. Show love, respect, support and concern. Here’re a few examples of unproductive approaches:
- Angry accusations like “You don’t spend time with our children; you prefer the company of your drinking partners.”
- Judgmental or irritated comments like “You’re a raghead. Why can’t you quit?” or “Using drugs is illegal, you’re a criminal.”
Also, come to your talk with a plan. If your family member agrees to receive medical help after you have shared your concerns, have resources on hand to offer them.
Сalling for expertise and guidance
You can do your best and still fail to persuade your loved one to undergo treatment. People under influence cannot assess the situation properly and make a rational decision to make changes. Your efforts to initiate the conversation about the problem can be met with anger or even violence.
In this case, consider involving a professional interventionist. It can be a therapist, counselor, psychologist, social worker, or addiction help line operator experienced in working with addicts. It can also be someone respected by the user, like a school psychologist, spiritual mentor, or coach.
Practice shows that the help of a trained and experienced interventionist increases the chance of a successful intervention up to 90 percent.
Because of a variety of stressors and easy access to alcohol and drugs, more and more people find themselves in the tenacious paws of addiction. But the power of family ties and professional medical assistance can help a struggling addict to start a new sober life.