Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children
What is Addiction in the Family?
Substance abuse disorders don’t only affect the substance abuser. Unfortunately, the adverse effects of drug addiction on family members can often cause as much devastation as it does to the user.

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What Impact Does Parent Addiction Have on Families?
What Impact Does Adolescent Addiction Have on Families?
Substance abuse in families is prevalent across all demographic groups, and the social effects of drug abuse and addiction on family members can be devastating.
How Does Addiction Develop?
Risk Factors of Addiction Development
- Family history: When it comes to drug addiction and families, drug abuse is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you have a greater risk of developing a drug addiction.
- Lack of family involvement: Difficult family situations or the absence of a bond with parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can the lack of parental supervision.
- Early use: Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction. 1
The Impact of Drug Addiction on a Family
Signs of Addiction
- Lack of control or inability to stay away from a specific substance
- Decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments, friends, or ignoring relationships
- Ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite potential consequences
- Physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing a higher dosage for effect
Physical Indicators of Addiction
- Unwanted weight loss or gain
- Facial flushing
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Unjustified outbursts of anger
- Confusion
- Unexplained memory loss
- Neglect of favorite home or school activities 3
Six Family Roles in Addiction
Roles of Family
- The Addict: The family member that suffers from a substance abuse disorder.
- The Caretaker: The family member that helps the addict the most, either physically, emotionally, or mentally.
- The Hero: A family member who sacrifices their own needs to assist drug-addicted family members.
- The Scapegoat: The family member that is blamed for most all the problems. Most of the time, this can also be the drug-addicted family member.
- The Mascot: The family member that is always trying to keep things light and help out. Despite a positive outward demeanor, this is often a disguise for deeper issues or troubles relating to substance abuse.
- The Lost Child: The family member that doesn’t seem to fit in and feels isolated. They tend to be prime candidates for potentially seeking solace in addictive substances.
The Consequences of Substance Abuse in Families
Severe Consequences of Substance Abuse Within Families
- Negative impact on children
- Loss of trust in the family
- Increased stress in the family
- Financial problems
- Physical and emotional abuse
- Fear and confusion 5
Finding Help for Families Struggling with Addiction

Individual Therapy
Family Counseling
Al-Anon Family Groups
Detoxification
Detoxification is ridding the body of all substances of dependence in a way that will not hinder the body’s physiology. 7
Inpatient/Residential Treatment
Inpatient or residential treatment refers to rehabilitation addiction treatment that temporarily requires a patient to reside in a live-in treatment facility.
Find Family Addiction Treatment at Concise Recovery
Concise Recovery Center provides premier addiction detox and recovery treatments from our San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles locations. Our credentialed staff is equipped to handle even the most complex cases, with expertise in addictions from alcohol to benzodiazepines.
We can help families struggling with drug or substance addictions. Please contact us today for assistance with your or a family member’s substance abuse problem. 8
Resources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112#:~:text=Physical%20addiction%20appears%20to%20occur,you%20stop%20using%20the%20drug.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725219/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/recognizing-addiction#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326059939_Role_of_Family_in_Addictive_Disorders
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725219/#:~:text=The%20negative%20impacts%20of%20parental,%2C%20role%20reversal%2C%20and%20fear.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Anon/Alateen
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340704755_Detoxification_of_Drug_and_Substance_Abuse
- https://conciserecovery.com/