How Drug Addiction Affects Relationships

By Dammy Ajas
Dec 21, 2020

Many of the discussions around drug addiction oftentimes focus on the physical and psychological effects of substance use. But the effects of drug addiction go far beyond that. It can unapologetically take control and destroy everything in someone’s life, including relationships.

This is not limited to only romantic relationships but also affects relationships with friends and loved ones. There is a reason addiction is called a family disease.

If someone you love or a member of your family falls into addiction, the dynamics changes completely. When addiction comes into the equation, it seems as if they are not the same person you used to know– as though they have been replaced. This can make relationships turn sour for such a person as people feel hurt, angry, and betrayed around them.

In this article, we will be highlighting different ways by which drug addiction can be devastating to

relationships. Of course, we will also be showing you ways you can help your loved ones get out of addiction fast.

Devastating Effects of Addiction on Relationships

#1: Secrecy

One of the most common things people experience with their loved one who is drug-addicted is a high level of secrecy. This shows in every area of their lives. When people already become addicted to drugs, they begin to notice how much their life is spiraling out of control. At that point, they start having a strong feeling of shame, guilt, and fear of judgment. This leads them to being secretive about their activities and the overall state of being.

They begin to lie about things like where they are, people they hang out with, why stuff in the house are missing, where money is being spent, and many other things about their strange behaviors. Most times, this secretive life increases to the point of complete distancing or isolation. Of course, that will have a toll on any relationship.

#2: Loss of trust

As lies and deception increase in the relationship because of the secret life of the addict, it is only a matter of time until their partner or loved ones begin to notice and develop trust issues with them. It suddenly becomes very difficult for the addict to keep to his promises. Their loved ones begin to perceive some levels of disrespect, lack of loyalty, and honesty in the relationship.

Trust is very important for any relationship to thrive. It brings a sense of safety and care. But where there are trust issues, some relationship-damaging issues like anger, jealousy, resentment, and fear begins to surface.

#3: Anger and physical abuse

Apart from making the addict behave quite irrationally, substance abuse can also put everyone around them on the edge. A simple disagreement can lead to a big fight as everybody feels misunderstood. It can cause loved ones to be abuse emotionally, leading them to misbehave against the substance user.

It can burnout parent-children relationship, hence encouraging the children to also turn to drinking or drug use as their parents. This will not only destroy a healthy relationship in such a family but can also make addiction become a deadly cycle in such a home.

#4: Several financial problems

The truth is that drug and alcohol abuse costs money. As the addict continues to chase after the high he gets from the substance use, it gradually starts burning through his finances. Unemployment problems can begin to set in, including missed work, decreased productivity, and job loss.

Addiction can force you into a situation where you become a burden to your family. It will even be worse if you are the breadwinner of the family. It suddenly becomes difficult to provide for the basic needs of your family not to mention sending your children to school.

It can make you super dependent on other members of the family and only concerned about your next high or hit. And eventually, the family members too will cut you off.

#5: Turns partners and loved ones into an enabler

This is another way drug addiction can impact the user and a loved one. In the bid to help the addict, a loved one may unknowingly transition into an enabler. That is the kind of person that tries to cover up for the user.

This could mean taking on his responsibilities, working hard to minimize the negative consequences of the drug on the user, making excuses for him, or accepting blames for him.

A typical example of that is what happens in a family where the husband is a drug addict. In the middle of the addiction, the substance user is likely going to abandon all responsibilities to their partner. Therefore, making the partner become an enabler – covering up for them and providing in their place.

Making decisions, taking care of bills, cleaning up, and raising the kids is quickly going to become a problem for the other partner. This can lead to some stress-induced conditions like anxiety and high blood pressure.

#6: It breeds codependency

This is similar and shares some common traits with enabling. A codependent person will try to cover up for the addict instead of letting him face the natural consequences of his actions. This is often because the reputation of the codependent individual is also on the line or sees there is a need to take care of him at that time.

Most times, someone who is codependent may become frustrated by the needs and actions of the substance user but still feel a compulsive need to take care of the person. It often have a toll on the relationship the addict shares with such a person.

#7: Sexuality and intimacy issues

Another relationship concern involving addiction is sexual intimacy. Apart from the isolation addiction causes in relationships, it can also make it difficult to experience intimacy in a relationship. People who battle with addiction often experience real trouble enjoying a healthy intimate relationship. They concentrate more on getting their substance instead of getting intimate with their partner.

Also, drug use can have certain physical effects on the body. Certain drugs can result in issues like erectile dysfunction. A recent study from the University of Granada confirms that drug abuse could have some bad effects on sexual performances.

However, drugs like cocaine, though could temporarily increase sex drive, can also increase the risk of engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors. Studies have also found that once the drug wears off, it can also result in erectile dysfunction.

Is There Any Hope?

Withdrawal from drug abuse can be difficult. It usually has powerful effects on the body, and could sometimes lead to health problems like anxiety, depression, breathing, and heart problems. But does that mean there is no hope of getting your life or helping your loved one get his or her life back? Of course, there is hope.

Drug detox programs can help ease the effect of withdrawal on your body. Programs like Suboxone from PainStop can help you recover from drug addiction without having to suffer the drastic effects of withdrawal.

The clinic understands that drug addiction is both physical and emotional, and so they have included emotional support in their plan in form of counseling. Using both the medication and counseling will help you have a complete recovery without any side effects.

Get in touch with them today to start your journey back into your normal life where you can once again enjoy quality and healthy relationships. Do you have a loved one battling drug addiction? This is a chance to help him or her regain control of their life and relationships.

What Drug Addiction Does To Your Brain and What You Can Do About It

Drug addiction has many harmful effects. This is a fact that is known to many. So, why do people give in to addictive drugs even when they know it’s bad for them?

Turns out, there’s more to drug addiction than you might think. One of the first things you need to know about it is that drug addiction is a health problem. 

And just like any problem, drug addiction is best solved by understanding it better. 

How Addictive Drugs Affect The Brain

Many people take pills or get injected with drugs. Yet, not everyone gets addicted.

Addiction happens when drugs take over your brain. So, to understand — and treat — addiction, it is important to understand how drugs affect your brain. 

Your brain has two basic goals:

1. To keep your body alive.

2. To help you reproduce.

This is why you feel good when you eat delicious food. This is also why you feel rewarded when you have sex. 

These experiences fulfill the goals of your brain. In return, your brain sends a signal to your body which gives you a feeling of pleasure and reward. To help you survive, your brain trains you to keep looking for experiences that bring you the same good, rewarding feeling. 

Addictive drugs like narcotics create a shortcut to this good, rewarding feeling. Drugs can even make that feeling more powerful. It gives you a rush of satisfaction. And addiction will keep pushing you to take that shortcut, so you can reward yourself quickly and in great amounts. 

What’s more, drugs will make you remember that satisfying effect as better than it actually was. 

Drug Addiction and Its Effects

The feeling of pleasure or reward that your brain sends to your body is not bad in itself. In fact, it is important in keeping you alive. 

You put yourself in danger when you keep taking a shortcut to these satisfying effects by using drugs. 

Why? Because your brain and body cannot bear excessive and prolonged use of drugs. Your body becomes weak and you’re more at risk of getting diseases.  

Over time, drugs will change other parts of your brain, too. These changes can happen in the parts of your brain that help you control emotions and make decisions. So, you may act carelessly and have poor judgment of your situation. Worse, your body will no longer get that same satisfying effect that drugs had before. That is why drug addicts increase the amount of drugs they’re taking or try a different substance. 

Detoxing from Drugs

Ever experienced a headache because you skipped your morning coffee? This is an example of your body on withdrawal. 

Quitting more powerful substances like drugs will, therefore, have more powerful effects. These effects include breathing problems, heart problems, anxiety, and depression. 

The good news is, there is a safer and healthier way to treat drug addiction.

This process is called drug detox. 

Detox eases your brain and body into functioning without drugs. The medication used in drug detox programs, such as Suboxone, will help you feel comfortable as drugs leave your body. That way, you don’t experience drastic withdrawals. 

Because drug addiction is more than physical dependence, you also need emotional and mental support. This is why a good drug detox program must include counseling. PainStop offers a drug detox program that includes both medication and counseling. Click here to know more about it. 

Remember that your brain’s purpose is to help you stay alive. Through medication and counseling, you can train your brain so that you will no longer depend on drugs or crave its effects. You can train your brain again to fulfill its goal in a healthy and safe way.

Narcotic Addiction Treatment Plan

Substance abuse disorders can affect people of all ages and walks of life. Narcotic dependence results in physical and mental illnesses that when left unchecked, can lead to grave consequences. What’s more, the effects of narcotic abuse goes beyond the person using it. It also deeply impacts one’s family, friends, and community. 

With devastating consequences and rising cases, the US Department of Health and Human Services has made narcotic addiction treatment and recovery services more accessible. 

How PainStop Spine Clinic Can Help

PainStop Spine Clinic now offers Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to people struggling with narcotic dependence. MAT is a narcotic treatment program that uses a combination of medication and counseling to treat substance addiction and to help prevent overdose. 

PainStop Spine Clinic has a two-fold narcotic treatment program that focuses on the following:

1. Suboxone Treatment Plan - Suboxone (or other buprenorphine preparations) has many benefits when it comes to treating opioid dependency. Compared to other narcotic treatment medications, Buprenorphine is safer and more accessible. The medication produces similar effects to narcotics in low to moderate doses. This helps wane the patient off of narcotics to prevent cravings or withdrawals. Buprenorphine is also a long-acting agent, which means that patients may not necessarily have to take it every day. 

2. Substance Addiction Counseling - Narcotic addiction can sometimes go deeper than physical dependence. Some social or psychological factors can trigger a patient to relapse even when they are no longer physically hooked to narcotics. Apart from providing medication for addiction, PainStop also has a team of social workers that provide patient counseling. Through counseling, the patient can recognize and sort out harmful thought patterns, beliefs, and emotions that can lead to relapse. Counseling also helps a patient be accountable for their actions, which is an important step towards independence.

Patient-Focused Treatment

Narcotic addiction may have increased over the years, but its treatment and recovery services are now more accessible. It is an illness that needs a treatment plan that focuses on the individual patient’s needs. 

Through Suboxone (or buprenorphine preparations) medication and counseling, PainStop Spine Clinic gives patients a safe, accessible, and patient-focused treatment program. Ultimately, the goal of Medication-Assisted Treatment is to help patients fully recover and live purposeful lives.