How Addiction Affects Families - Term Paper Example

? How Addition Affects Families Lecturer presentation Introduction Addiction is a serious disorder caused by the involvement with biological, environmental and biological elements (Saah, 2005). Although treatment for addictions is possible just like with other types of diseases, there is no cure because the condition is obsessive and habitual. In this respect, the patient is always at risk of relapsing and falling again to the trap of using the substance. One of the major challenges of rehabilitating and treating an addict is to eliminate the sense of total dependence from the addictive substance and promote a sustainable or long-standing soberness. Due to drug and substance dependence, addicts cause severe problems to their families. Sociologists and medical professionals affirm that drug and substance abuse causes more problems to the family and the loved ones than it does to the actual drug addict (Aaron, et al. 2004). This paper is an investigation of how addiction affects families. The paper comprises of three sections where the first section examines how addiction develops in an individual and the symptoms manifested by people using various types of drugs. The second section discusses the various forms of addiction, including substance, alcohol, and other forms of addiction. Finally, the third section is an investigation of how addiction affects families of the addicted individual. Development of addiction Addiction problem, especially to drugs and alcohol develops gradually in an individual and eventually it could be fatal if it remains untreated. Failure to address the problem affects the user physically, psychologically and socially. These effects become worse as the addiction problem becomes more intense. Besides alcohol and substance abuse, sex and gambling, are some of other forms of addiction that do not entail the intake of a substance. Addiction as a disease is manifested by the inability to control the use of the substance, excessive use and obsession with the particular substance or substances of addiction (Jerry, et al1994). In this case, a person abusing the drug lacks the ability to limit the quantity and frequency of taking the drug in addition to controlling the adverse effects of the habit. One of the most common characteristics of addicts is that they are usually preoccupied with the drug or substance that they use. Nesse (1997 62) defines preoccupation as “the extreme, focused concentration given to the substance”. Although some drug addicts are usually addicted to one type of drug, Douglas, (1997) argues that a growing number use multiple drugs once their bodies become used to the effects of one particular drug. Saah (2005) attributes the growing number of multiple drug users to the fact that the body becomes tolerant to drug with time and to ensure that they experience the desired psychological effects from the substance, addicts resort to using different substances. In this regard, most drug users start with mild types of drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, and they eventually graduate to more addictive hard substances, such as cocaine and heroine. Addiction to drugs affects health of the person adversely and in spite of this fact, drug users continue with the habit. The practice affects the normal functioning of the person at work, in social places and the individual becomes almost incapable of undertaking his or her responsibilities at home and in the workplaces. In addition, drug addiction uses vast amounts of financial resources and most addicts find it economically unsustainable. Most drug addicts even go to the extent of stealing and selling valuable possessions at throwaway prices to sustain the habit. Besides the aforementioned effects, drug users are a health hazard to other people in the society because they have a greater tendency of causing accidents at work and while driving than people without drug influence (Lende and Smith 2002). Nesse (1997) attributes drug preoccupation to distorted thinking where the addict refuses to admit that they have a problem. The denial makes it even more difficult for the person to cease using the drug or quit the addictive habit. Instead of admitting that drug use is the cause of the problem, drug users convince themselves that the habit is the solution. Therefore, drug addicts do not consider themselves as having addiction problems. Therefore, addiction is not an event but a process that develops over time. At the onset, people do not encounter challenges in the use of the substance. There are not obsessed and they exercise high level of self-control while using the drug. In this respect, the initial stage of drug use is characterized by maintenance of a reasonably healthy balance in social, economic and psychological aspects of an individual. As the habit continues, the person begins to focus more on the substance of addiction than other areas of his or her life (Knauer, 2002). For instance, students lose focus on their studies resulting to declining performance and unexplained absenteeism from school. This stage marks the beginning of addiction and the person progresses into a state where his or her control of the drug diminishes gradually. According to Jerry et al (1994), addiction is determined by several factors including life events, the culture in which a person grows up in, biological constitution and the relationship of the person with the family and friends. For a long time, researchers in addiction have studied on the relationship between genetic make up and the environment that a person lives in. These studies established that genetics play a major role in development of addiction. However, other factors including changes in life circumstances and the environment are influential in determining if the person becomes dependent on a substance and other types of compulsive behaviors (Jerry et al, 1994). Types of addiction There are various types of addiction in the society today, that Knauer (2002) attributes to economic and social changes in addition to advance in technology. Some of the main types of addiction affecting families include alcohol and drug dependence. Besides these two types of addiction, compulsive behaviors are some of the emerging form of addiction affecting the society today. Examples of compulsive behaviors include addiction to sex, gambling, shopping, food, computer games, internet usage and addiction to exercises. Some of the most commonly abused drugs include marijuana, drugs for pain management, and other types of chemical substances. Currently, addiction is prevalent in young children unlike in the past where it was restricted to adults. This trend exposes the family unit to many adverse consequences, especially in cases where both the parents and the children are addicts (Knauer, 2002). Aaron et al (2004) attributes the prevailing culture to the increasing levels of substance and behavior compulsions in the society. According to Aaron, et al (2004), incidents of addiction in the past were low because of scarcity in resources that limited availability and access to the drugs. However, in the last century, the world has made a transition from an era of scarcity to relative abundance. Currently, globalization, advancement in technology and improved economic growth provide unlimited opportunities for accessing drugs and other addictive habits. Douglas,(1997) argues that in periods of scarcity, people are mainly motivated by survival instinct but in times of abundance, pleasure principle becomes more prevalent than the desire to survive. Scarcity and abundance inculcate different and contrasting values in society and individuals. For instance, values such as tolerance, self-control, self-sacrifice, patience, persistence, thriftiness, and delaying pursuit of pleasure in addition to hard work are instilled during periods of scarcity. These values enable people to establish favorable social and economic foundation at individual and family levels that are necessary for future prosperity (Douglas, 1997). However, abundance promotes the culture of instant gratification, consumption, entertainment and recreation in addition to self-expression and indulgence. Moreover, lack of self-control and self- restraint encourages excessive obsession with the substance of addiction, leading to wastage of resources and loss of balance in virtually all dimensions of successful living. In this respect, Douglas (1997) argues that the environment that a person grows in respect to scarcity and abundance play a significant role in determining the level of drug use. How addiction affects families Addiction affects families in many profound ways depending on whether it is the parent or the child who affected and the type of addiction. Some of the major effects of addiction to the addicted individual include insomnia, isolation from friends and family, in addition to drastic changes in behavior. Other effects include rapid gain or loss of weight and poor grooming (Nesse, 1997). These changes become prevalent in social places such as school and working places where they could be accompanied with reduced performance and unexplained absence. Addiction affects the economic, social and psychological wellbeing of the family (Saah, 2005). At the social level, family members lose trust on the addicted member mainly because of blatant lies to cover their habits. Isolation by the addict from the family denies them the opportunity for interacting and engaging in common activities, such as cerebrating birthdays, leisure and important family milestones. The family eventually isolates the addicted person. In extreme cases, addiction results to break down of families when the addict dies or becomes arrested for long periods. Aaron, et al (2004) noted that most marriages do not withstand the numerous problems caused by addiction, a situation that leads to high levels of separation and divorce especially in developed countries. Addiction undermines the financial stability of the family because as the habit to indulge progresses, it demands more financial resources in order to sustain it. Most addictive habits such as drugs, shopping, gambling are expensive to maintain and consequently addicts resort to using funds for food, housing and other utilities. This exposes the family to unnecessary suffering characterized by inability to meet basic and educational needs for the children. Moreover, addiction imposes a heavy economic burden to the family especially when the addicted person loses means of earning income because of poor performance. The family of an addict person suffers psychologically. According to Jerry, et al (1994) children and spouses living with drug dependants suffer from emotional instability characterized by feelings of guilt, shame and low level of self-confidence. In extreme cases, addiction leads to domestic violence, which exposes the family members to physical abuse. This compromises on the safety of children and it is one of the leading factors of homelessness and street families in developed countries. In addition, children of addicted parents are exposed to drugs and other addicts, who could abuse them physically and sexually. Exposing children to drugs and other habits could encourage early experimentation and childhood delinquency. Conclusion It is surprising to note that in most families, addiction causes a codependency condition that affects both the children and spouses or parents of the affected person. Codependency is characterized by a situation where the psychology and behavior of the affected persons is affected by the behaviors and mood swings of the addicted person (Aaron, et al 2004). The family could feel responsible for the problem and live in denial that their loved one is affected. In addition, the family could isolate the addict from the society by minimizing contacts with other people and attempt ineffective ways of addressing the problem such as denying them money or occupying their free time to limit their involvement in the addictive behaviors. Children demonstrate codependency by rebellion, or could overachieve in school and in sports in order to divert their attention from the addicted guardians. Other ways in which children could be affected include becoming depressed and isolating themselves from others. References Aaron, H., et al. (2004). Linking session focus to treatment outcome in evidence based treatments for adolescent substance abuse. Psychotherapy, Theory, Research Practice, Training, 41(2): 76-95. Douglas, P.(1997). The etiology and diagnosis of alcohol dependence: Differences in the professional literature. Psychotherapy, Theory, Research Practice, Training, 34(3): 290-302. Jerry, J. et al.(1994). Treating addictive patients at suicidal risk. Psychotherapy, Theory, Research Practice, Training, 31(4):680-700. Knauer, S. (2002). Recovering from sexual abuse, addictions and compulsive behaviors. New York: Haworth Press. Lende, D., and Smith, E.(2002). Evolution meets biopsychosociality: an analysis of addictive behavior. Addiction,97: 362-374. Nesse, R.M. (1997). Psychoactive drug use in the evolutionary perspective. Science, 278: 32-41. Saah, T.(2005). The evolutionary origins and significance of drug addiction. Harm Reduction Journal, 2(8): 53-72. Read More