While Drug Abuse Robs Wellbeing Of The Addict, It Can Be Destructive For The Family Too

Addiction is often called a family disease. Families play a large part in the recovery of an addict. Every single one has to fight back against that addiction. But besides taking care of the addict, it's equally important for the family members to take care of their own emotional and psychological well being.

Jaspreet married her boyfriend of seven years and is still standing by Harkirat's side, giving him much needed strength and support. Recovered Addict, Harkirat shared with us,

I had gone way ahead like heroin injections but then got to know that I have got hepatitis C, I got scared but gathered the courage to tell my girlfriend about the infection. She still stood by me and decided to marry me. My wife and family are the reason I left as no one can leave this habit without family support. 

The optimistic wife Jaspreet, said,

Everyone leaves the person who is suffering, no one understands him so I thought I will make sure he leaves this habit. Though it was challenging, I was confident that he will fight it. 

The intentions are always good, but it can be difficult to make the distinction between helping and enabling a family member who is an addict. And here is where the family counselling comes in. Lata, mother of a young man in his early 20s who is an addict admitted that counselling has helped her immensely. She said,

When my husband and I came here, I was in very low life condition but today I have taken it as a challenge. I try to understand my son and at every step, we are working together.

She also shared that understanding the circumstances of her son taking to drugs helped her come to terms with the situation. “I am at ease and emotionally much stronger today”, added Lata.

Dr Jagdeep Pal Singh Bhatia, Neuro Psychiatrist, Bhatia Neuropsychiatry hospital and de-addiction center, Amritsar who has been working in this field for over 29 years shared,

Family being the backbone for any addict must remain mentally stable and take care of their own psychological health as well so that they can give the best support to the addict.

Addiction not only robs the addict of their physical, emotional and psychological well-being, but the effects of drug abuse on the family unit can be equally destructive and devastating. Hence the family members and friends also need to take care of their own health, so they can provide the love and support addicted people need in order to health because if recovery is not sought, the effects of drug abuse can become intergenerational.