Impact of Addiction on Individuals and Families
When a family member struggles with addiction, it can impact both the individual and the family in many ways. Review each image to learn more.
Common Impacts on the Individual
Impaired Social Functioning
Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and fulfilling responsibilities.
Disability
Physical, cognitive, or mental health limitations that affect daily functioning.
Housing Instability
Difficulty maintaining safe, consistent housing.
Criminal Behavior
Increased involvement in illegal activities or the criminal justice system.
Unemployment
Difficulty finding, maintaining, or successfully performing a job.
Medical or Psychiatric Conditions
Development or worsening of physical and mental health conditions.
Death
Increased risk of fatal overdose, injury, or substance-related illness
Homelessness
Loss of stable housing or a regular place to live.
High-Risk Behaviors
Greater likelihood of behaviors that can result in injury, illness, or other harm.
Common Impacts on the Individual
Impaired social functioning
Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships and fulfilling responsibilities.
Medical or psychiatric conditions
Development or worsening of physical and mental health conditions.
Disability
Physical, cognitive, or mental health limitations that affect daily functioning.
Death
Increased risk of fatal overdose, injury, or substance-related illness.
Housing instability
Difficulty maintaining safe, consistent housing.
Homelessness
Loss of stable housing or a regular place to live.
Criminal behavior
Increased involvement in illegal activities or the criminal justice system.
High-risk behaviors
Greater likelihood of behaviors that can result in injury, illness, or other harm.
Unemployment
Difficulty finding, maintaining, or successfully performing a job.
Common Impacts on the Family
Emotional
Feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, guilt, shame, or embarrassment can affect both the person with SUD and their loved ones.
Relationships
Substance use can increase conflict, reduce trust, and strain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
Effects on a Developing Fetus
Substance use during pregnancy can harm a developing fetus and increase the risk of complications, birth defects, and developmental challenges.
Effects on Parents
Parents with SUD may have difficulty being emotionally available or consistently responsive to their children. They may also experience guilt, helplessness, frustration, anger, or depression.
Economic
Substance use can lead to financial strain, including money spent on substances, lost income, debt, or difficulty meeting basic needs.
Family Stability
Addiction can contribute to family conflict, domestic violence, separation, divorce, or involvement with child welfare services.
Effects on Children
Children living with a parent or caregiver who has SUD are at greater risk for abuse or neglect, behavioral and emotional challenges, academic difficulties, and mental health concerns.
Common Impacts on the Family
Emotional
Feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, guilt, shame, or embarrassment can affect both the person with SUD and their loved ones.
Economic
Substance use can lead to financial strain, including money spent on substances, lost income, debt, or difficulty meeting basic needs.
Relationships
Substance use can increase conflict, reduce trust, and strain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
Family Stability
Addiction can contribute to family conflict, domestic violence, separation, divorce, or involvement with child welfare services.
Effects on a Developing Fetus
Substance use during pregnancy can harm a developing fetus and increase the risk of complications, birth defects, and developmental challenges.
Effects on Children
Children living with a parent or caregiver who has SUD are at greater risk for abuse or neglect, behavioral and emotional challenges, academic difficulties, and mental health concerns.
Effects on Parents
Parents with SUD may have difficulty being emotionally available or consistently responsive to their children. They may also experience guilt, helplessness, frustration, anger, or depression.