Addiction And The Family : Addiction

Drug and chemical abuse affect many families and that particular family that lives through a loved one who is an addict and the priority is to get help for the individual. In any intervention that involves drug addicts, a family's disposition is very important. Full recovery of any drug addict involves the restoration of the person's life as well as ensuring that those who are around the addict have the best ability when it comes to helping with abstinence which is a long-term goal. Abusers are often in denial or even believe that they are totally in control of their use of drugs

Addiction is a theme that has been present throughout my life through members of my family and myself. My father was addicted to gambling and alcohol until finally, his drinking ended his life. My brother struggles with alcohol and keeping ahead of his problematic drinking. I have several cousins that float between alcohol and drugs to fulfill the need for an outside substance. For many years, I pondered how I had escaped the addiction curse in my family only to realize that my addiction is food. I overeat and self-sooth through food even though I have health concerns and know a better way. I spent most of my young adulthood angry at my father because he could not or would not change for his family. I am understanding more through education

Addiction is a multifactorial psychiatric disorder in which twin studies have established a compelling case for a genetic heritability of increased susceptibility in some human hosts more than others . Outside of genetics, addiction is partial to several environmental, behavioral, and developmental risk factors as “neither genetic nor environmental factors act in isolation to increase susceptibility to addiction.” Thus, there does not appear to be any necessary nor sufficient factors that are responsible for the increased likelihood of substance use/abuse and subsequent addiction.

There are many different definitions for addiction, Merriam-Webster state’s addiction is the compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful. A&E network has capitalized on the impact addictions has on individuals and their families by creating a reality-based documentary show called intervention, that gives viewers an in-depth look into the lives of individuals who have different types of substance addiction. While also providing a look into the lives of family members of

Genetic factors have been directly linked to the risk of an individual’s vulnerability to addiction (APA, 2008). In addition, other risk factors that play a

Addiction is a brain disorder defined by the compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences (Angres and Bettinardi–Angres 696). From the outside looking in it can be easy to judge and condemn adicts for pursuing their vice. However, don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that addicts are just people with weaker morals or insufficient spiritual guidance. Addiction is a medical disease with a complex etiology. Social dislocation and family stress appear to contribute significantly to the development of the disease. Social dislocation is the removal of an individual from their community, family or friends. The lack of social support can be devastating to an individual. It can create a painful void that they may attempt

There are two causes that influence stimulant abuse are: genetic and environmental and psychological. Genetic have been linked to a family member “who have had substance abuse problems or addiction in the past are at an increased risk for developing and addiction themselves” (http://www.harboroaks.com). Environment can be the influence of friends, relatives, or peer pressure. Symptoms are often in an abuser behavior

Not everyone who experiments with drugs becomes an addict. There’s no single factor that can predict whether someone will become addicted, though there are general social, biological, and environmental factors that do increase the risk. Genes, in combination with environmental factors, account for about half of a person’s addiction vulnerability. Being male, African American, or having a mental illness can also increase a person’s risk of progressing to addiction. Family, friends, and socioeconomic status have a significant impact on a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction. Physical and sexual abuse, peer pressure, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect the occurrence of substance abuse. Although a person can become an addict

1. Share what you know about addictions, both a personal and theoretical perspective. Personally I know what addiction is and what effects it puts on a family. I was addicted to over-counter pills, started when I was 14.

The exact cause of substance cause is unknown. A person genetics, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, environmental stress, or other mental cause could all be factors of becoming addiction to a drug. Many people who have become addicted may have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic disorder, or another mental disorder. A stressful or chaotic lifestyle and low self-esteem are also common in people who are suffering from substance disorder.

Substance abuse, the abuse of drugs or alcohol, is known to have a lasting impact on members of the abuser’s family (Crosson-Tower, 2013). Ultimately there are two ways in which a family can experience the detrimental effects of substance abuse within the family system itself, and those ways are through either substance abuse on the parent’s behalf or substance abuse by the adolescents or children in the family unit (Crosson-Tower, 2013). Substance abuse can have many negative impacts on a family unit; the negative impacts are known to be emotionally, physically, and mentally damaging (Gruber & Taylor, 2006).

To begin with, studies have found that inherited genes are responsible for a considerably large part of the probability that someone will become addicted to any kind of substance or behavior. Addiction is strongly influenced by genetic factors in the later stages of addiction, such as problem use and dependence of an addictive substance. Some genetic factors can make an individual more likely to become addicted to only one specific drug. On the other hand, some genes can make an individual more likely to become addicted in general. Some individuals might be genetically inclined to risk-taking behavior such as receiving large jolts of dopamine through what they consider to be the “excitement” of drug use. These individuals could be subject to keep returning to the illicit and harmful drugs that they find enjoyable despite what they know of the harmful effects. These genetic influences could make them more likely to become addicted to alcohol, cocaine, tobacco, gambling, or any number of substances or activities. Addiction has an inherited component and it

Addiction is not an individual problem but something that affects the whole family. Stevens and Smith (2013) state that families will “readjust to redistributing responsibilities to accommodate the user” (pp. 247-248). Children learn to adapt to their dysfunctional family, including taking more responsibilities on when their parent cannot because of their addiction. Families need to be included in treatment so that they can learn positive ways to help their family member without enabling them. The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (New Living Translation). God designed humans to need each other that is why he created Eve as Adam’s helpmate. Having a support system

Addicts blame others when things go wrong, they make loved ones feel guilty or ashamed, and maintaining an addiction can take a financial toll on a family. Children, pets, and other family members are often neglected and left to fend for themselves when living with an addict. Addiction can also cause separation in a family. Eventually patience runs out and people end up walking away from the addict when they refuse to get help or take responsibility.

They assume addicts lack moral principles or self-discipline and that they can quit by simply deciding to. The reality is, people who have struggled with substance abuse have often found it extremely difficult to quit due to the physical and/or mental addiction. Drug have the ability to change the brain patterns and cause health complications, making things harder in the long-term and may determine life or death. Fortunately, because of more research, there are more ways to back out of an addiction and seek help through an enduring and extensive treatment. Factors that affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction are environmental and individual factors, including genetics and