3 Effects of Substance Abuse on Individual, Family and Community

Drug and substance abuse has ruined and taken the lives of many. Substance addiction or abuse happens to be a complicated and complex disease which gradually gnaws the addict of their physical, emotional as well as psychological well-being. It is the major prevailing health problem which is cost the U.S. an alarming $468 billion in 2005.

The harmful consequences of substance abuse not only affect the user but also their family and the community they live in. Though a number of documents have been written to inform and aware regarding addiction prevention, only half of the picture is painted. In order to fully grasp the devastating impact substance abuse leaves on the individual, family and the society, it is necessary that the effects need to be taken in account so that it may be emphasized why awareness for addiction prevention needs to be spread on a larger scale.

Emotional Instability:

Individual: Substance usage makes a person emotionally unstable. They are unable to control their feelings and when these emotions go unchecked they cause a lot of damage because sudden outbursts result in some damaging decisions.

Family: Family suffers a great deal due to the uncontrolled emotional state of the substance using family member. More than 75% cases of domestic violence takes place due to a person doing drugs or some type of substance abuse. It leaves a disturbing environment for the kids and partner.

Society: A person who loses control is considered a threat and poses danger to other people and himself as well. People then also distance themselves from the user as one can never know what the user might do next.

Lying and Deceiving:

Individual: Drugs and substance are expensive. As substance usage also harms ones’ health many people are unable to keep their jobs and then begins the cycle of lying and deceiving your loved ones which causes immense hurt in the long run and also makes them lose their credibility.

Family: The manipulation, stealing, and the lies that are thrown by the addict on family causes great pain and even when families are trying to help the pain remains still. Not only does it cause emotional damage but could morph into hurt and resentment as family eventually realizes the actual motives and then they feel used. This rift sometimes remains during the addiction prevention period as well long after that. Sometimes, the members start to engage in same acts as the addict which strains the whole family.

Society: Substance users lose control and therefore the urges are hard to control also. The lying and deceiving is not limited to the family even but grows to neighbors, friends and co-workers also which leads to people feeling betrayed and used.

Health Issues:

Individual: Substance abuse not only harms the user’s psychological condition but also makes him physically weak and disoriented. It takes a toll on the addict’s health and large number of health care problems like lung diseases, liver cirrhosis, tuberculosis and hepatitis are an outcome of substance abuse.

Due to substance abuse addict loses interest in other food items and depends on his substance for his well-being. Lack of nutrition and essential food results in lack of energy, making them weak, weakening immunity and making them prone to other physical ailments.

Family: The addiction happens to be all-consuming for the family too. The emotional and basic needs of other family members is often neglected with the attention given to addict’s needs  which results in depression, anxiety as well as physical ailments due to lack of poor hygiene, proper nutrition and exercise. Sometimes the expense that is incurred in the substance user causes serious financial problems for the families too which deprives the other kids or members of basic needs.

Society: The diseases that are caused by addictions and substance use are dangerous and sometimes contagious as well. The surrounding people can also be affected by them and sometimes other people try dangerous, illicit drugs for fun but may suffer health consequences for rest of their lives.