Addiction And The Family : Addiction

Drug and chemical abuse affect many families and that particular family that lives through a loved one who is an addict and the priority is to get help for the individual. In any intervention that involves drug addicts, a family's disposition is very important. Full recovery of any drug addict involves the restoration of the person's life as well as ensuring that those who are around the addict have the best ability when it comes to helping with abstinence which is a long-term goal. Abusers are often in denial or even believe that they are totally in control of their use of drugs

“The statistical associations between genetic factors and alcohol abuse are very strong” (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). However, there is still much debate over the validity of genetics as a definite cause for addiction. Perhaps, the reason for this is because the number of children of alcoholics that go on to become alcoholics is still small. Additionally, genetic predisposition cannot explain the number of cases of alcoholics that did not come from alcoholic parents or families. In fact, addiction can be so prominent, that it remains even after the drug use has ended (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Therefore, the biological theory should not be ruled as it is based on what takes place in the body. There is no other theory that can explain how a person could still have addiction symptoms when the substance is absent from their system. Predisposition implies that there is a mutation or malfunction in the body that appears to cause a craving or susceptibility to becoming addicted to a substance.

To begin with, studies have found that inherited genes are responsible for a considerably large part of the probability that someone will become addicted to any kind of substance or behavior. Addiction is strongly influenced by genetic factors in the later stages of addiction, such as problem use and dependence of an addictive substance. Some genetic factors can make an individual more likely to become addicted to only one specific drug. On the other hand, some genes can make an individual more likely to become addicted in general. Some individuals might be genetically inclined to risk-taking behavior such as receiving large jolts of dopamine through what they consider to be the “excitement” of drug use. These individuals could be subject to keep returning to the illicit and harmful drugs that they find enjoyable despite what they know of the harmful effects. These genetic influences could make them more likely to become addicted to alcohol, cocaine, tobacco, gambling, or any number of substances or activities. Addiction has an inherited component and it

Genetic factors have been directly linked to the risk of an individual’s vulnerability to addiction (APA, 2008). In addition, other risk factors that play a

Addiction is a brain disorder defined by the compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences (Angres and Bettinardi–Angres 696). From the outside looking in it can be easy to judge and condemn adicts for pursuing their vice. However, don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that addicts are just people with weaker morals or insufficient spiritual guidance. Addiction is a medical disease with a complex etiology. Social dislocation and family stress appear to contribute significantly to the development of the disease. Social dislocation is the removal of an individual from their community, family or friends. The lack of social support can be devastating to an individual. It can create a painful void that they may attempt

Addicts blame others when things go wrong, they make loved ones feel guilty or ashamed, and maintaining an addiction can take a financial toll on a family. Children, pets, and other family members are often neglected and left to fend for themselves when living with an addict. Addiction can also cause separation in a family. Eventually patience runs out and people end up walking away from the addict when they refuse to get help or take responsibility.

Individual level risk factors for addiction may include low school involvement, existing mental disorders, history of abuse or neglect, and use during adolescence

The exact cause of substance cause is unknown. A person genetics, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, environmental stress, or other mental cause could all be factors of becoming addiction to a drug. Many people who have become addicted may have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic disorder, or another mental disorder. A stressful or chaotic lifestyle and low self-esteem are also common in people who are suffering from substance disorder.

There are two causes that influence stimulant abuse are: genetic and environmental and psychological. Genetic have been linked to a family member “who have had substance abuse problems or addiction in the past are at an increased risk for developing and addiction themselves” (http://www.harboroaks.com). Environment can be the influence of friends, relatives, or peer pressure. Symptoms are often in an abuser behavior

There are many different definitions for addiction, Merriam-Webster state’s addiction is the compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful. A&E network has capitalized on the impact addictions has on individuals and their families by creating a reality-based documentary show called intervention, that gives viewers an in-depth look into the lives of individuals who have different types of substance addiction. While also providing a look into the lives of family members of

Research question: How does drug abuse impact family members? Barnard, M (2007). Drug Addiction and Families. Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzE4MDQ2NV9fQU41?sid=92164d9f-4cd4-4f66-90db-6fca650d41c2@sessionmgr102&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1 This online

Even systems theory has disagreed on whether “addiction is an individual problem or a family problem” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 240). The author stated “is the addiction secondary to the dysfunction in the family or is it the primary cause of the dysfunction” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 240)? It’s an interesting question and one that may be “skewed by the viewpoint of the clinician” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 240). However, what a clinician must keep focused on is the “biopsychosociofamilial” aspect of the causes of the addiction (Stevens & Smith, pg. 240). All aspects of a person’s life must be explored as possible causal effects of the addiction or the clinician may miss out on a crucial piece of the puzzle that has created the addiction and is allowing it to continue.

Extensive research shows that biological factors such as genes are just the beginning of the underlying causes of addiction. Environmental factors play a huge role. There is a profound mutuality between family circumstances and the extent of drug addiction. One study that I found particularly interesting involved 559 people; all of which were families. “The main family factors of drug addiction, according to the results obtained, are family atmosphere, strength of family ties, sense of family happiness, structure of authority in the family, and alcoholism.” (NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV) In found that drug addicts come from a family that aggression and ill will are present and family ties are far less decrepit than those where addiction was not. The ease of access to drugs and alcohol also was a determining factor of the addiction equation. What I found most concerning was that in families where the mother was the authoritative figure 54.4% --that’s more than half—addiction was present. Vice versa, in the families that love and affection were evident the children rarely took any

Not everyone who experiments with drugs becomes an addict. There’s no single factor that can predict whether someone will become addicted, though there are general social, biological, and environmental factors that do increase the risk. Genes, in combination with environmental factors, account for about half of a person’s addiction vulnerability. Being male, African American, or having a mental illness can also increase a person’s risk of progressing to addiction. Family, friends, and socioeconomic status have a significant impact on a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction. Physical and sexual abuse, peer pressure, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect the occurrence of substance abuse. Although a person can become an addict

They assume addicts lack moral principles or self-discipline and that they can quit by simply deciding to. The reality is, people who have struggled with substance abuse have often found it extremely difficult to quit due to the physical and/or mental addiction. Drug have the ability to change the brain patterns and cause health complications, making things harder in the long-term and may determine life or death. Fortunately, because of more research, there are more ways to back out of an addiction and seek help through an enduring and extensive treatment. Factors that affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction are environmental and individual factors, including genetics and