Drug Addictions in Families
Drug addictions never just affect the one who is addicted. Addictions can touch each and every member of a family, even if all but one has never touched a drug. The family still sees the pain of the addict and often feels some responsibility toward helping the addict to recover. This recovery usually effects all family members in some way.
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Symptoms
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When a family member is addicted to drugs it is often difficult to diagnose symptoms of drug abuse. The most obvious symptom is that something has changed and the family member does not seem the same as he used to. He may gain weight or lose weight quickly, appear tired and withdrawn, or appear extremely hyper where he never was before. If you suspect a drug addiction you can ask your family member but remember he will always be the last to admit there is a problem.
Causes
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Drug addictions often start because of some sort of pain or illness. From there some people become immune to the drugs and begin to need more and more. The pain that people take drugs for is not always physical pain but can be emotional or mental pain too. The drug takes over and makes the addict feel like his old self. The problem comes when he starts to need more of the drug to feel "normal," and never quite recovers without medication. This is when his health can begin to spiral out of control.
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Impact
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Drug abuse affects brain chemistry which can alter a person's behavior. The results of the drug abuse touch everyone in the addict's life. In many cases the need for this drug causes the addict to end up having to steal from friends and family in order to support his habit. When addicts do not have the drug they are often moody and irritable as well as physically sick, thus continuing to affect those family members around them.
Treatment and Recovery
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Initial treatment usually consists of some sort of detox which is often done under a supervised setting just in case the addict needs some medical help. After the initial detox, a counseling program, as well as some type of 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous is recommended. For families, whole group counseling is often available and encouraged so that family members can learn the best ways to support the recovering addict.
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References
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