Stimulant drugs are a wide class of drugs that are abused by
over 1.6 million people of 12 years and over in the United States. These drug
cause increased energy and alertness. This class of drugs are both legal and
illegal, legal medications include medications such as Adderall and Ritalin.
Illegal stimulants include substances such as cocaine, crack and meth. Using
these drugs not only is highly addictive and dangerous to health but causes problems
in the addicts life and the family of the loved one’s lives too (Lauren
Brande, 2020).
Photo 1 shows the eye of a person who has been using a
stimulant “fully alert” (Lauren Brande, 2020).
The family of an addict often has
trouble addressing an addict and their behaviors. This is often because the
family members do not know how to discuss the addict’s dependence problem, they
are unsure of how the intervention will go and it can be scary. People with
addictions can have different reactions to family when they are confronted
regarding their problem. Most of the time the reactions will be negative but
with the right communication and support family can be a great tool to help a
person recover. It is important to understand how to properly communicate with
them and how to avoid supportive behaviors.
Photo 2: Shows confrontation between
loved ones (Steven Gifford, 2018).
Family members
who choose to support the person with the addiction can become one of two, the family
members can be enablers or codependent. Enabling behaviors happen when another person
encourages or helps an addict continue to use. This behavior could be direct or
indirect, enabling from the family usually happens because they provide the
addict with money or resources with good intentions that they are helping their
loved one. Sometimes family members do not realize that there is a difference between
helping someone and enabling someone. Helping someone is doing things for them
that they cannot do themselves, enabling someone is doing things for someone
who can and should do for themselves (Allan Schwartz, 2020).
The codependent is essentially the person
who is enabling or supporting the other person engage in harmful behaviors. This
type of behavior can be thought of as an inverted narcissism and in the family
setting it can be dangerous because it forces dependence on another person instead
of themselves. Family members commonly use this behavior instinctively thinking
that they are helping the situation when in fact it is making it worse. Some examples
of how codependency can cause negative effects
that trigger a person’s addiction include, making excuses, supplying financial assistance
and avoidance. Family members often make excuses for the addict to cover up their
behaviors, this is a negative behavior because it teaches them that there are
no consequences for their behavior. Supplying the addict with finances is the
most common mistake that family members make. Family members often do this because
they are fearful that the person will begin to steal or perform in risky
behaviors to get the drugs that they need. Giving money sends the message that
the addiction is acceptable and enables the situation to higher levels. Choosing
to look away and avoid the problem also enables the problem. People with
addictions go through emotional mood swings which can turn into aggression, violence
and reckless behaviors. By avoiding the confrontation is does not provide a
consequence and enables the behavior. Family members may choose to avoid
confrontation in fear that the addict will harm themselves or choose to leave. Codependency
often becomes an addiction for family because they feel the constant need to provide
for the addicted family member, only their contribution is making the situation
worse. (Allan Schwartz, 2020)
Family can be of a great help and act
as a support system during the recovery process of a loved one. The first step is
to educate yourself, find a counselor or
contact Alcoholics Anonymous to connect with
other families. Stop enabling the person who is addicted, this means not providing
money or a place to live instead insist that they get the help that they need.
Offer assistance to a drug rehab or treatment center if necessary. The last important
thing to do is stand up and not give in. When the enabling behavior
discontinues the addict has to make the choice to get help. This step is the
hardest part for family because they often have to watch their loved one hit
rock bottom, meaning that they become homeless, get in trouble with the law and
even end up in jail (Ashcroft, 2018).
How to approach a family member who has an addiction problem.
https://youtu.be/Cdn-N9pBw6o (Centers, 2018)
References
Allan Schwartz, L. P. (2020). Codependent and
Enabling Behaviors. Retrieved from American Addiction Centers Resource:
https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/codependent-and-enabling-behaviors/
Ashcroft, T. K. (2018). Family-focused
Practices in Addictions. Retrieved from US National Library of Medicine:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5781095/
Centers, A. A. (2018). 1:00 / 2:13
Intervention: How to Talk to a Family Member with an Addiction Part 1.
Retrieved from You Tube: https://youtu.be/Cdn-N9pBw6o
Lauren Brande, M. (2020). Stimulant
Drug Abuse. Retrieved from American Addiction Centers Resource:
https://drugabuse.com/stimulants/
Steven Gifford, L. L. (2018). Family
Involvement is Important in Substance Abuse Treatment. Retrieved from
Psych Central:
https://psychcentral.com/lib/family-involvement-is-important-in-substance-abuse-treatment/
Very nice read on your family and stimulants blog. The dilated eye is a great visual, very typical sign of stimulant use. When viewing the inner workings of the family dealing with substance abuse, SAMHSA (2004) states that some non-abusing parents may become very bonded with the children, ensuring their comfort. Different family structures have differing unique responses to the substance abuse in the family. In families of small children, parents may over compensate for the abusing parent (SAMHSA, 2004). Children may develop denial to protect themselves from the reality of the substance abusing parent (SAMHSA, 2004). SAMHSA (2004) acknowledges that children of single-parent with substance abuse may act inappropriate for their age. Aging parents with substance abuse may have inappropriate dependent relationships with their adult children (SAMHSA, 2004). Extended family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers will likely all feel some effect from the substance abuser.
ReplyDeleteChildren of substance abusers may suffer longer than the actual duration of the abuse. Children may grow up in an unstable home, be malnourished, undereducated, exposed to illegal drugs and activities, and may be asked to contribute to the substance abusers lies (BHOPB, 2020). Often times both parents are involved in the addiction compounding the situation. Murray (2019) state that family members who witness their loved one struggle with addiction experience financial, legal, medical and emotional consequences. The impact of addiction on young children is that it increases their risk for future substance use disorder as adults (Murray, 2019). A serious side effect to substance use disorder is the possibility of sexual verbal, emotional and physical abuse which may be directed towards a spouse or child (Treehouse, 2017). Depression and anxiety may be significant in children of substance abusers (Treehouse, 2017).
Addiction can occur with any member of the family from teenagers and young college adults to parents. As addiction is viewed as a family disease, it is essential to treat all members of the family system. Family members need to be vested to seeing the abusing member seek, and achieve recovery while restoring the family to a healthy balance. Continuous support is necessary to avoid or deal with possible relapses which most likely will occur. As you stated in your blog, the family should never give up on the loved one suffering with addiction. The video you included was a nice addition to your blog, which was informative and enjoyable to read.
References:
How does addiction affect family and friends? (2017). Treehouse. Retrieved from https://www.treehouserehab.org/addiction-affect-family-friends/
Murray, K. (2019). The Many Ways Addiction Affects the Family. Addiction Center. Retrieved from https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/how-addiction-affects-the-family/
Substance abuse treatment and family therapy. (2004). SAMHSA. Retrievable from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64258/
The effects of drug addiction on family members. (2020). BHOPB. Retrieved from https://www.bhpalmbeach.com/recovery-articles/impact-substance-abuse-and-addiction-families/