How Addiction Affects the Family
To understand how addiction affects the family, you need to think about the dynamics of addiction and relationships. Manipulation, deceit, and behaviours that stem from addiction slowly break down family relationships. If you are the partner of an addict, you may find it difficult to feel secure or have confidence in what your partner actually tells you.
Consequently, it is normal to have conflicting emotions and feel anxious or angry when your partner lets you down or lies to you. When children are part of the family dynamic, addiction is like a stone thrown into a pool of water, creating ripples of damage across all family relationships.
Addiction and Relationships
An addict is unable to consider how their behaviour affects others when they are in the grips of addiction. Although there may be windows where they can see the negative consequences of their behaviour, the addiction will inevitably overshadow any intention to change. The sole focus will be to have access to the substance or be able to participate in the behaviour that drives them.
In a loving relationship, when you understand that the addiction is the cause of your partner letting you down, it is often easier to take on all of the daily responsibilities than rely on your partner. Without realising it, you slowly become an enabler by freeing your partner of responsibility.
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How Addiction Affects Children
In a two-parent household, one parent may naturally try to conceal the behaviour of the other parent with the addiction from their children. The extra pressure from coping with dishonesty and unpredictable behaviour will often change not only how the parent who is an addict interacts with their children but also how the other parent does. Erratic behaviour from both parents will put children on edge.
Children will quickly pick up any change in atmosphere and often blame themselves if a parent is late to pick them up from school or forgets about an important event. This can lead to children finding it difficult to form relationships as they are afraid of being hurt if they trust someone and are let down. Children might become angry and aggressive, withdrawn, or suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Children of addicts are also more likely to become addicts themselves as a result.
Get Help Today
At Step by Step Recovery, we understand that each person’s journey to recovery is unique, which is why we offer a variety of addiction rehabilitation services. Our residential and private rehab centres provide complete addiction treatment, relapse prevention, and aftercare. No matter what kind of addiction you are struggling with, we can help you overcome it and achieve lasting recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we offer free advice and support. Contact us today in complete confidentiality if you need any help or information about addiction treatment and residential rehab.
Why choose Step by Step?
- Fully Residential
- Around-the-clock care
- Medical detox unit
- Extended family support
- After care support service
- Nutritional food cooked by our chefs
- Outstanding quality of care
- Highly experienced team
