Addiction as a Family Disease
The term addiction comes with a pretty heavy stigma and reputation. Addiction can come in many forms, whether it’s alcohol, substances, or behaviors. Despite knowing better, engaging in these practices can quickly become compulsive habits.
Addiction is a disease more than it is a choice. No one with an addiction wakes up each morning wanting to engage in habits that lead to negative outcomes. It involves complex processes in the brain, how you interact with your environment, and even genetics.
Thankfully addictions are treatable. A part of that treatment process is uncovering the root cause of the addiction and implications they can have. Here we’ll explore the possibility of addiction being a family disease.
Why is Addiction a Family Disease?
Your family, especially your parents or caregiver figures, guide the development of your attachment style from the time you’re a young child. They ensure your basic needs are met, that you receive nurturing and support, that you learn how to socialize appropriately, and model good behaviors.
If a member of your family is dealing with an addiction, it can have an impact on all other members of the family unit. There can be emotional and physical consequences. There may also be medical and financial effects.
How Addiction Affects the Whole Family
Addiction can be a problem for the person engaging in specific behaviors, but it’s also a burden on the other family members. Watching a loved one go through a struggle can create a slew of emotions. There may be a shared sadness, frustration with their behavior, embarrassment, anger, and even guilt.
The stress of watching a loved one go through their experience can take its own toll. Family members may develop their own physical or mental health issues stemming from caregiver stress.
Depending on the circumstances of the addiction, there can be financial or legal implications. Funds that are needed for taking care of basic needs may be used, causing a strain on resources and the family dynamic. This loss of income can even put the family at risk.
With addiction, there is no telling how each family member will be impacted. Parents will have a different experience than children, who will respond differently than spouses or partners.
Can Addiction Run in the Family?
Addiction involves more than just one factor at play. There is also likely more than one cause for developing an addiction.
Family dynamics can be one piece of the puzzle that increases the chances of developing an addiction. This becomes greater when you have a parent who has struggled or is currently struggling with addiction. While it should model behavior to avoid, it often pulls children in.
How to Help a Loved one with Addiction
Fortunately, addiction is treatable. Unfortunately, it can be a lengthy process. If there was a quick and easy cure for addiction, there wouldn't be so many people out there battling their own situations. You would think that you could just point out the obvious negative effects and that would be enough.
Bringing up addiction with your family member is a sensitive issue and requires the right time and place. It’s important to reassure them that you are in their corner and can help them along their journey, when they’re ready.
Seeing as how addiction is a family disease, it may take the family village to get through it. Family involvement, in the right way, can be one of the most important healing factors. Family counseling can promote the necessary changes, help with developing coping strategies, and prevent future reoccurrences.
If you or a loved one is dealing with addiction, getting the right treatment can make all the difference in the world. Set up a consultation with us to get started on the healing path.