The Impact of Substance Abuse on Relationships

According to a study conducted by Pew Research, about half of Americans have a family member or close friend who’s struggled with drug addiction. This staggering statistic showcases just how prevalent drug addiction is today. Many people know someone struggling with addiction. Unfortunately, addiction can not only hurt the individuals involved, but their relationships too.

At Arista Recovery, we are a leading addiction recovery center in the Midwest that’s helped many patients safely achieve long-term sobriety. Using a range of different inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, we offer a variety of treatments so you can receive tailored support on your road to recovery. Contact us today to start your recovery journey.  

5 Ways Drug Addiction Impacts Relationships

So, how does drug use impact relationships?

Addiction doesn’t just harm the person with a substance use disorder. It can also be damaging to an addict’s relationships with loved ones. Keep reading to learn more about how the impact of substance abuse on relationships can hurt those closest to you.

Fracture Relationships with Loved Ones

Without question, the impact of addiction on relationships can be very destructive. Addiction can be damaging to relationships because it can be difficult watching a friend or family member struggle with drugs or alcohol. This is because loved ones witness the addict change and essentially be chained to addiction, rather than being the healthy, happy person they remember before struggling with drugs.

Loss of Trust and Effective Communication

Addiction can also break trust in relationships and strain communication between loved ones. Whether a person with a substance use disorder is in denial about their addiction or lies or isolates themselves from loved ones, all of these behaviors inevitably break down trust between the person with a substance use disorder and their loved ones. Plus, because a person with a substance use disorder is typically ashamed or embarrassed about their addiction, they tend to isolate themselves, which only further harms relationships with loved ones.

Negatively Impacts Parenting Children

It’s hard to take care of yourself, let alone others, when you are struggling with a drug addiction. Unfortunately, parents struggling with drug addiction inevitably take a toll on parenting their children. This can lead to potentially long-term consequences in a child’s mental health and well-being if they witness their parent(s) struggling with addiction. Or, even worse, if a parent is absent from a child’s life because they are abusing drugs.

Increase Risk of Isolation and Loneliness

As previously discussed, addiction can be a very isolating and lonely disease. Because people with a substance use disorder tend to be embarrassed by their addiction, they tend to isolate themselves from loved ones for fear of judgment or emotionally hurting loved ones. This can be detrimental to an addict’s life because relationships with loved ones are likely some of the only close relationships that can help support them to seek treatment and achieve sobriety.  

Hurt Romantic Relationships

Addiction can also put significant strain on romantic relationships. This is because addiction can easily lead to a lack of trust in relationships. Plus, drug addiction typically can lead to financial strain in a relationship. Often, a person with a substance use disorder runs the risk of losing their job and wasting money on drugs or alcohol. This can make the addict’s partner grow resentful and increase feelings of stress and conflict between the couple.

If you have a friend, family member, partner, or other loved one struggling with drug addiction, it’s critical you help them seek professional addiction treatment to safely and effectively achieve sobriety. You should never feel like you are solely responsible for helping your loved one struggling with addiction become sober all on your own.

Begin Your Road to Recovery Today

Now you know more about the impact of substance abuse on relationships. Unfortunately, drug addiction can significantly damage relationships with loved ones. That’s why it’s important during your addiction recovery journey that you also prioritize slowly but surely rebuilding these relationships. This is because your family and friends can be a solid support system that can help you maintain life-long sobriety.Our compassionate team of addiction specialists at Arista Recovery is here to help you every step of the way on your journey to sobriety. Addiction is a debilitating disease– you shouldn’t have to break free of your addiction all on your own! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you overcome addiction.

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