SOWK 2020 Part 2 Impact Of Families And Loved Ones

Addiction: Impact of Families and Loved Ones
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Addiction: Impact of Families and Loved Ones
Introduction
According to Health Canada, alcohol and drug addiction is a growing national problem, as is the case with most of the developed world. Recent data from the country’s Department of Health indicates that the number of Canadians who met the criteria for alcohol and drug dependence or abuse grew from 18.1% in 2012 to 19% in 2016. Interestingly, the most abused substance in Canada is alcohol, with 77 000 people between 2015-2016 seeking care for alcohol-related problems; these figures are higher than heart attacks (Health Canada, 2017). Although the prevalence of smoking has dropped significantly in the last decade, tobacco addiction is still a significant area of concern in Canada. It remains among the top leading causes of premature death in the country (Lander, Howsare & Byrne, 2013). Health Canada is collaborating with intervention programs across the country to address the increasing cases of addiction across all populations.
Existing literature refers to addiction as a family disease because its effects go beyond the person with the problem to the entire family system and loved ones. Although majorly overlooked by many, addiction has a profound impact on both families and loved ones of the affected individuals. This health issue exposes the two groups to stress, violence, disruption of routines, and sometimes total dysfunction of the family system (Lander, Howsare & Byrne, 2013). This paper is about ways in which alcohol and drug addiction affect family and loved ones. Special attention is on the difficulties that these parties confront when trying to respond to or cope up with the changes that addiction brings forth for a family member or a friend. In addition, the paper details ways in which families and loved ones can support the affected person(s) during their walk to addiction recovery.
Background and Context
The Disease of Addiction
CASA (2005) defines addiction as “a complex disease with a biological, sociological and psychological component.” It is characterized by its progressive nature, denial and concealment, chronic diseases and lapses and relapses. Understanding the risk factors for addiction is also critical. Some research, including studies on adoption and twins, have shown a genetic and biological predisposition to addiction. Scientists across the world estimate that genetics account for about 40-60% of a person’s risk to addiction (CASA, 2005). Most of the literature suggests that a person’s genes play a significant role in vulnerability to addiction. However, other researchers emphasize that children who have grown up in families where a senior member had a Substance Use Disorder are likely to model their adult behavior on what they saw in their familial experience. Other risk factors include social environment, ethnicity, gender, and developmental stage (Reiter et al., 2016). Overall, nature and nurture influence an individual’s resistance or vulnerability to addiction.
Addiction and Changing Family Structures
The family structure has become more complex. Traditionally, one could...