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The Impact of Substance Abuse on Loved Ones

Substance Abuse affects society on many levels, but no group is more negatively impacted than the friends, family and other loved ones of those who abuse substances. Loved ones of drug abusers deal with social, legal, physical, emotional and financial consequences as a result of the drug user's abuse and addiction.

  1. Fear

    • Fear is a constant reality for loved ones of substance abusers. Loved ones fear that the substance abuser may endanger himself or others through driving under the influence, by taking risks by being with criminals or being in dangerous areas in pursuit of drugs.

    Marital Unfaithfulness

    • Spouses of substance abusers worry that the abuser may not honor the relationship commitment and may thus subject them to HIV, or other sexually transmitted diseases. Risk-taking behavior is common among substance abusers, as is exposure to sexually transmitted disease.

    Family Violence and Child Abuse

    • According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, half or more of those arrested for violent crimes including theft, assault and homicide were under the influence of alcohol or drugs close to or during the time of their arrest, and these drug abusers often bring their violent behavior into the home. NIDA also reports that formerly abused children often become substance abusers who also abuse their own children.

    Crime

    • Loved ones of substance abusers suffer emotionally when the substance abusers are arrested, jailed or serve time in prison due to their illegal behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 60 percent of those serving time in prison are doing so due to drug-related crimes.

    Physical Illness and Death

    • Loved ones of substance abusers often watch their substance abusing loved one become sick and die of drug or alcohol related disease. At times, they deal with the unexpected death or their loved one due to drug overdose or traffic accidents that occur while the person is driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

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