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Drugs

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Drug dependence is a systemic process that affects and is affected by the interaction between the dependent person, the drug and the other people involved (Da Silva, E. A., Noto, E. A., & Formigoni, M. L. O.S, 2007). The people affected the most are typically friends and close family members. It is said that people hurt the ones closest to them and after reviewing the effects of drugs on family members, it appears to be true. When a drug user is on drugs, nothing else in the world seems to matter; not even a loving, supporting family. Drugs can put pressure on the most ideal relationships. A strained familial relationship can occur when the drug user assumes the loved ones will always support him or her, but hides the truth from the family. Domestic violence, neglect, depression and guilt are issues that will be discussed in this paper. This paper will also discuss how families cope with drug overdose and drug treatments available to family members.

Drug abuse is known to have many side effects on the user: erratic behavior damage to the nervous system and brain cells, premature death and so forth. Research shows that there can be emotional, financial psychological damage done to familial relationships as well. If the drug user has a family and is considered to be the breadwinner or has a significant amount of income, drug abuse could lead to lack of performance at work and eventually, loss of income. Money is one of biggest reasons why couples fight and if drugs are a factor in the household, the issue will most likely grow. The loss of income could create additional debt to the family, which could affect their crediting rating and their future buying power. A study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors reported spouses that partake in illicit drug are more prone to domestic violence (Stuart, G., Temple, J., Follansbee, K., Bucossi, M. Hellmuth, J., & Moore, 2008).
“Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant problem in the United States. IPV by both genders is associated with negative consequences, including injuries, fear, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and homicide, although male-perpetrated IPV has more detrimental effects” (Stuart, G., & et al, 2008).

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