The unfortunate form of corrupting nature of drug addiction is -that it has the ability to penetrate in to the individual’s personal life and family, even before the addict is able to understand that he needs help with his addiction abuse problem. For immediate help call : (855) 937-7342 d35r84u14g

1. Drug Addiction and the Family
What are the effects of addiction on the family?
The unfortunate form of corrupting nature of drug addiction is -that it has
the ability to penetrate in to the individual’s personal life and family, even
before the addict is able to understand that he needs help with his addiction
abuse problem. The addict family is often the first place that gets
subverted from its normal life cycle. The loved ones get to see the first
hand, how the drug addiction can deteriorate a person from a respectable
human being to reduced individual who desperately needs help in the fight
with his drug addiction and family.
The most difficult aspect of drug addiction recovery is to be able to
separate your love and unconditional support, from what may be for their
benefit or advantage. The similar analogy is how you treat a child
sometimes; if they do something wrong, you have to be able to not only
recognize inappropriate behavior, but also be able to reprimand a child ,
thus teaching him a lesson, so he doesn’t repeat the same mistake. At

2. times it’s hard to stand up to your principals, because you might feel bad or
feel sorry for a child or a person, however you have to recognize the fact
that if you do not act on it properly, you will become an enabler of bad
behavior or any type of addiction. By using a “tough love method” you will
be able to inhibit and discourage a person from his addiction, and help
them in their journey to full recovery.
In many cases the loved ones just “look the other way”, so that they can
avoid the confrontation and fights, that can turn in to a domestic abuse. If
both partners are weak and in denial about one’s addiction problem, it will
lead to self destruction and serious consequences.
Being by one’s side to help them with their addiction problem is one thing,
however it is not enough to help the addict to stop using the drugs or
completely recover from them. There are different intervention programs
available, where a certified professional will coach you and other loved
ones to bring the addict to the point of surrender.
There is nothing wrong with welcoming a third party assistance in to your
personal life; it will allow you to step back and watch the professional take
the appropriate measures and steps to bring the addict to his complete
recovery. Your job is to be by the addict side as his moral and emotional
support. If the addict is placed in to the rehab center, he will undergo
substance abuse treatment as well as counseling therapy.
In many cases the intervention might create uncomfortable scenarios for
you, where you might feel you are not able to perform or be involved, as a
part of “tough love” method, However, you have to be strong and are able
to accept directions from a rehab specialists, and make an effort to
cooperate with all of the, unpleasant at times, treads of intervention.
Keep in mind that you might receive a lot of resistance from the addict, and
at times he might even refuse the treatment at some point. However, you

3. need to accept the fact that you have gone above and beyond to help him,
and you stood by him every step of the way. You need to know
you’ve done your best!
In many cases the families choose “financial tough love” as the approach
for drug addictions and family. As an example provided by ABC World
News with Diane Sawyer, in the article by By JOHN QUINONES and
CHRISTINE BROZYNA on Feb. 15, 2010, it discusses a family crises
taken place in the American figures skater Nancy Kerrigan’s home:
” A private family crisis played out for the world to see. The brother of
American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is now accused of killing his own
father in an alcohol induced rage. Mark Kerrigan’s problems with addiction
have been ongoing for years. His parents even sued their son for more
than $100,000, reportedly to push him toward recovery.
It’s a dramatic show of financial tough love, but is it always the right
approach?”
Another example is an unfortunate situation of the famed environmental
crusader’s daughter, Erin Brockovich:
” Two years ago, Erin Brockovich, the famed environmental crusader
played by Julia Roberts in a 2000 movie, faced a similar situation with her
own daughter. Elizabeth, then 16-years-old, was addicted to drugs and
alcohol. Her $500 a week drug habit was funded by money stolen from the
family.
“As a parent, you want to believe your kid, yet you know something’s
wrong,” Brockovich said. “I’ve cried myself to sleep. And I’ve honestly sat
and shook in a corner.”
When to Step In

4. Sack advises that the time to use tough love approach is when the person
is ignoring you. “Then you have to say, ‘We love you very much, but we’re
not going to spend money so you can go buy drugs and end up in a worst
predicament. We’re not going to support your habit,’” Sack said. “So it
means no money, no car, no food, no shelter because ultimately those are
the things that can be converted to drugs.”
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/tough-love-families-dealing-drug-
addiction/story?id=9841591#.UEkarU1lTVY
According to the Chicago Tribune article, “Effects of Substance Abuse on
Families”, Family Therapy is considered a valuable resource for recovery
for family members with drug and alcohol addictions:
“Family Therapy
According to the “Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy” guide,
family therapy is a good resource for recovery for family members with drug
and alcohol addictions.
How can family therapy help me?
• Your family’s strengths and resources can help you find ways to live
without alcohol and drug addiction.
• You and your family will be better able to deal with the impact of
detoxification, the process of cleansing your body from an addiction.
• Your family will become more aware of their own needs and feel that
they can express their needs safely.
• The next generation in your family will be less likely to carry on your
addiction.
• If you have lost custody of your children, you will be better able to
overcome your addiction and reconnect with your family.

5. What should I know about family therapy?
• Make sure you find the right therapist or counselor and that you’re
upfront about why your family is going to therapy. Family therapists often
don’t screen for substance abuse, while substance abuse counselors need
proper training and licensing to practice family therapy.
• If there is any physical or emotional abuse in the family, family
counseling techniques are not an option, because family members must be
protected.”
For immediate help call : (855) 937-7342
d35r84u14g