There is no doubt that addictions can severely damage relationships between families and friends. An addiction never just affects one person – it hurts everyone that cares for them.

Trust issues: Often an addict will lie to hide their addictive behavior. Many addicts do not want others to know what they are involved with or how bad their addiction is.

Alter behavior: Drugs and alcohol can alter one’s personality. The person that you know and love may completely change and may not even act like the person you used to know. With alcoholism and drug addicts, someone who was gentle and loving before can be aggressive and abusive.

Infringes on time together: When someone is abusing a substance it takes away from the time that you get to spend with your loved one. Addicts will spend their time at bars, drug dens and anywhere where they can get their fix.

Financial burden: Drugs and alcohol are not cheap, and the addict often excessively purchases the substance they abuse. Any money that an addict has in their hands will be put towards getting their next fix. Also, this relates back to trust issues because often lying and money go hand in hand because the addict will lie to cover up where he/she spent the money.

Affects the family: A parent or loved one suffering from an addiction can influence the family dynamics. Children can be scarred from a young age witnessing certain behaviors that they should not be seeing. If a child sees a parent with an addiction it can affect them for the rest of their lives.

If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, please contact Solace Counseling. We can create a customized treatment plan to suit the specific needs of the patient. Solace Counseling also offers family counseling.