COMING OFF DRUGS: HOW THE FAMILY REACTS-THE FAMILY IS EMOTIONALLY DAMAGED BY THE ILLNESS
When somebody is taking drugs or drink, it doesn't affect just them. It affects the whole family and any intimate friends around them. The addict's sick behaviour causes waves of emotional damage to those that love them.
For every drug-using addict or drinking alcoholic, there are four other family members whose lives are adversely affected. Chemical dependence distorts family life so badly that the family itself starts going downhill.
Family members often start isolating themselves from a normal social life because they are embarrassed by the fact that they have a drug addict in their midst. They may stop taking proper rest and recreation. 'I feel guilty having a nice time when I know my child is out there suffering,' is their response. This makes the situation even worse.
- The family suffers more than the addict. Addicts or alcoholics avoid emotional pain by simply getting stoned or drunk. They don't feel the emotional turmoil that is going on around them.
- Addicts and alcoholics may actually thrive in such circumstances. If other members of the family are behaving in an inappropriate way, their own sick behaviour doesn't show up so much. They need not face their own destructive behaviour, because they can point to the distorted behaviour of everybody else instead. It gives them an excellent excuse to go on using drugs and drink.
- If family members get too emotionally damaged, they won't be there when they are needed - at that moment when the addict or alcoholic decides that perhaps he wants to do something about his drug-using or drinking.
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Anti-Smoking
