To the Family

How does alcohol and drug abuse affect the family?
Any family member abusing drugs or alcohol has severe and far reaching consequences on the immediate family. Anyone who has ever been in an alcoholic or drug abusive environment knows the horrific nature living in close proximity to this problem.

Alcohol and chemical dependency always has a profoundly negative impact on the people around it. When an individual becomes dependent upon drugs or alcohol they no longer can function properly in the home or their relationships. A chemically dependent person gradually loses more and more of their ability to adequately handle family responsibilities.

Parents of children who are using or abusing drugs or alcohol must take immediate action. Postponing will invariably lead to dire consequences. As difficult as confrontation may be, it is far better than hoping the situation will get better without intervention, it won’t.

Spouses whose wife or husbands are abusing alcohol or drugs know better than anyone else the downward spiral of their mate. It is up to them to take the necessary steps immediately, before it is too late. The relationship quickly turns towards hiding and deception to protect what is a very serious situation.

Siblings are often the first to know and therefore the most important people to initiate positive action. Brothers and sisters know how much their sibling has changed for the worse.