How Drug Misuse Affects Family Dynamics
Misusing prescription drugs not only risks the success of your missions as a warfighter, it can also risks your relationships with loved ones. Spending time with family and friends may become less important to you and you may lose interest in activities that once brought you joy when you misuse prescription drugs. It can be difficult for a person using drugs to see the impact it is having on those around them, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs ahead of time. Keep reading for signs of prescription drug misuse to look out for:
- No longer following through with commitments or responsibilities.
- Irrational anger or mood swings.
- Verbally or physically attacking others.
- Stealing money.
- Isolating from family and friends.
- Risky behaviors such as drunk driving or experimenting with other drugs.
Influence on Family Dynamics
- Communication
Substance use often leads to poor communication between family members in an attempt to hide the misuse or avoid confrontations. When interactions do occur, they may be strained, secretive or confrontational. - Dysfunctional Patterns
Dealing with a family member’s prescription drug misuse can result in enabling behaviors, denial or minimizing the problem to try and maintain normalcy in the relationship. - Role Shifts
Prescription drug misuse can impact the roles individuals have in a relationship. For example, if a parent is misusing drugs, it may require children to take on more adult responsibilities, like cooking for themselves, if the adult is unable to. If a partner is misusing drugs, it can put an extra burden on their partner, who may need to shoulder more responsibilities like taking care of children or taking on additional household chores. - Emotional Strain
When a member of the family is misusing drugs, it can often cause feelings of fear, guilt and anger among other family members. This can strain relationships. - Social Isolation
While the person misusing drugs often isolates themselves from loved ones, their family may also start to isolate themselves from their support networks to hide the misuse. This can reduce support from individuals outside the family and add to a dysfunctional internal dynamic.
If you think you may have a problem with prescription drug misuse, it’s important to seek help. Getting help is a sign of strength and ensures you are prepared for any mission. Reach out to your military specific substance abuse program offering prevention, education, counseling and treatment.