Addiction - A Family Illness
Out of the 21 million Americans who suffer from addiction, only 10% receive treatment. Deaths from drug overdose have tripled since 1990 and are only expected to rise with the increasing struggles in mental health and easy access to drugs. Addiction to anything is a serious problem and leaving it untreated often has fatal consequences. The issue in our country concerning substance abuse is undeniable and we can all do better at educating ourselves on how to handle it.
An important thing to realize when looking at addiction is that it is a clinical disease in the brain. Although it’s entirely treatable, the addicted person must have a sincere desire and motivation to change if they wish to overcome it. Unfortunately, the desire to change is something most addicts struggle with. The brain of an addict is complex, and users often have distorted thinking and behaviors. Prolonged drug use changes the structure and chemical makeup of the brain which can lead to long-term effects. These changes are what cause people to have intense cravings, shifts in personality, mood swings, abnormal movements, and other concerning behaviors.
Substance abusers are not the only ones who suffer from their addiction. Drug use can ravage a family, and it often does. Many family members don’t know how to get their loved ones the help they need and feel powerless in the face of addiction. Many suffer in silence as the addict becomes manipulative and selfish to get what they desire. Many users lie to their families and some even steal from them to satisfy their cravings. More often than not this creates tension and will deteriorate the relationship. It is for this reason that addiction may be referred to as a family illness. The illness rarely negatively impacts the life of the addict alone, family members will almost always feel the destructive effects as well.
With substance abuse on the rise, most of us know someone who has struggled or is still struggling with addiction. Helping a person overcome this illness is never fast or easy, it requires great willpower and determination. Most importantly, it has to start within the addict. If the user doesn’t want to change their behavior, trying to convince them to get help is unlikely to work. What you can do is take steps at the right pace to help them make changes.
It’s important to build trust, be honest, and respect their privacy. It doesn’t matter how sincere your intentions are, supporting someone with an addiction is no different than any other mental disorder. Be patient, be sympathetic, and never expect immediate change. Showing your support and care for their health is the best step to take in the right direction. It's also important that you seek the support you need while coping with a loved one who has an addiction. Developing stress management strategies is crucial in helping your loved one as well as yourself.
Addiction is an overwhelming, dangerous, and damaging illness. It can destroy families and take lives. Abusing drugs is a slippery slope that often leads to an uncontrollable addiction. Importantly, it can happen to anyone. No one is too good or strong to become addicted, and it’s that kind of mentality that leads to the rising cases of drug abuse. The silver lining is that it’s entirely treatable, and every addict has the chance to quit. Although quitting takes hard work, a good support group and treatment program will lead to recovery.
If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, there are many resources available to get the help you need. No one deserves to feel the effects of addiction, and you have the right to be in control of your life.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)