Drug addiction is an illness that can cripple, devastate, and destroy an entire family. Take it from someone who personally witnessed the toll that the 80s crack epidemic took on many families, including one dear to my heart.
I remember there was a lady who had been gone from my hometown for a while. She eventually returned with a recipe on how to turn cocaine into rocks aka crack. I watched as people became addicted to this new drug.
Parents and grandparents were horrified. And, families were devastated by its destructive path.
Around that time, I had a close friend who wanted to know how crack caused her significant other to succumb to its effects, so she decided to try it. And, she got hooked on it too!
Some of the drug users from the community stopped eating regular meals. As a result, they began losing extreme amounts of weight, to the point of almost being unrecognizable.
I saw children being taken in by loved ones or being sent to foster care because their parents were no longer able to maintain a home for them. The news media reported on babies being born addicted to crack.
Domestic violence occurred often because of the crack epidemic. Loved ones were angry over money and other valuables being stolen from them for drug purchases. This led to lots of fights and family breakups.
It was almost like an unending episode of The Twilight Zone. It really was traumatic!
Let’s Talk About What Drug Addiction Is
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states, “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.”
The expert’s definition may sound complicated, but the bottom line is drug addiction is a serious illness. And, individuals using drugs can’t control their cravings even though they’re hurting themselves and their families.
What drugs are people addicted to, you ask?
Let’s start with the obvious, illegal drugs, such as:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Ecstasy
- Methamphetamines
Then there are legal drugs that have addictive properties but are prescribed for legitimate medical conditions like:
- Opioids
- Barbiturates
- Antidepressants
- Stimulants
- Anticonvulsants
I once heard a celebrity’s story about how several of his siblings used illegal drugs, but he stayed away from those substances. Unfortunately, the same celebrity became addicted to pain medication prescribed after a dental procedure.
While watching documentaries on drug abuse in different communities, I often heard people say that they turned to illegal drugs because they could no longer afford legal pain medication.
When studying drug abuse from a sociological perspective, I found it intriguing to discover that there are families with generations of drug addiction.
Drug Addiction Hurts the Whole Family
Drug addiction hurts all family members involved including the children. Especially when you’re determined to stand with your loved one through the entire process. It comes with challenges for the family, as well as for the person with the addiction.
One issue that arises when an individual is addicted to drugs is facing a family member who is unforgiving towards them. This causes tension in the relationship and can lead to a family breakup.
Another problem is a family member being an enabler to the loved one with the addiction. Some individuals are very kindhearted and continually supply money to the loved one with the sickness.
This simply helps the person buy more drugs and spiral further out of control. Without a doubt, the family of an individual trying to get off drugs needs support just as much as the loved one facing the disease.
I once knew a guy who left his family, community, hometown, and state to stop using drugs and stay clean. Unfortunately, he couldn’t commit to recovery in the same location where his addiction began.
Can you imagine the pain a decision like that could cause a family? Unquestionably, supporting a loved one with drug addiction is an emotional process for everyone involved.
The Family Can Recover Together
The road to recovery is not just about individuals with addictions. It also includes the family members who are a part of their lives. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides various resources for families of individuals with drug addiction.
If your family is facing drug addiction, and you need support to get through the recovery process, please know that you’re not alone.
Feel free to check out the links in the article for resources and information to find help for your family.
