Post on 13-Dec-2015
A look at the impact of substance abuse and addiction
on the family unit.
Families
By Emily ShieldsCEP 504 – Pr. LiskerNovember 15, 2012
Research has shown that substance abuse is often linked closely with a lack of ability to form functional relationships with familyTraumatic childhood and adolescent
experiencesContinued strained relationships with family of
origin throughout adulthoodNegative relationship patterns in adult intimate
relationshipsDestructive parenting styles
The cycle of dysfunction
Alcoholic familiesExhibit more negative communicationEngage in higher levels of openly expressed
angerStruggle to maintain functional roles and often
display distorted hierarchyHigher rates of divorceHigher rates of physical, sexual, and verbal
abuse of children than nonalcoholic families
These apply to other types of addictions within the family as well….
Marriage & The Family Unit
Codependency Construct versus
reality“An unhealthy relationship in
which a person who is closely involved with an alcoholic or addicted person… [and] acts in such a way as to allow the addict to continue the addicted behavior” (Gwinnel & Adamec, 2006)
“A relationship in which there is continued investment of self-esteem in the ability to influence-control feelings and behavior, both in oneself and in others, in the face of serious adverse consequences” (Johnson, 2003)
“Codependency is a problematic or maladaptive seeking of identity, self worth, and fulfillment outside the self” (Zelvin, 1997)
PatternsCodependents learn
to measure self-worth by how successful they were in their caretaking behaviorsSelf-esteem is fused
with the relationshipOverlap of “normal”
love relationship boundaries and codependency
It is not OK for me to feel.It is not OK for me to have
problems of my own.It is not OK for me to have
fun or a life of my own.I’m not lovable.I’m never good enough.If people act crazy, I am
responsible.
CodependencyThe Rules of Codependency:
For more on Codependent coping styles and relationships, see p. 303 of Doweiko.
Enabling Enabling refers to the
behaviorTo knowingly behave
in such a manner as to make it possible for the person with an SUD to continue abusing chemicals.
“Dallas” Intervention | Episode: 156
http://www.aetv.com/intervention/episode-guide/season-11/dallas-156#156
Desire to protect the addicted family member
Social pressureStigmaControlAcceptance of
boundary violationsEnabling comes in
many forms
Role reversal and conflict
“Parentification” Financial stress, pressure to lend money to
addicted family memberArguing over taken, stolen, or sold possessions
Loss of trust and safetyUnwanted “visitors”
Disagreements between other family members
Lack of social interaction
The family unit
Child abuse
Adverse consequences for the family
Aggression and domestic abuse
Irritability, verbal abuse, rudeness, criticismDomineering or controlling
behavior
Threatening, pushing, hitting, breaking furniture, throwing objects
Death
Physical effectsPoor sleep,
exhaustionPoor diet, loss of
appetiteHypertension, hair
loss, migraines, back pain, palpitations
Injury as a result of domestic violence or abuse
Chronic anxiety, panic attacks, depression
Suicidal thoughtsPoor concentrationHypervigilanceLow self-esteem
High-stress environments have shown to significantly impact the development of the limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) with prolonged exposure.
Effects of addiction on family members
Psychological effects
Many family members need counseling for psychological, emotional, and physical abuse
Counseling is also needed for behavior modification and coping skills
Some clinicians advocate for a non-pathological model for treatment of familiesDiscard dated, biased, unsympathetic language
and attitudesStress-strain-coping-support model (SSCS)
Family support and therapy
Support Groups & Services
Nar-Anon: www.nar-anon.org Family Addiction Outpatient
ServicesStatler Towers, Ste 555, 107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Adult Child and Family Clinic at ECMC462 Grider St., Buffalo
Supportive Living – Council on Addiction Recovery Services201 South Union St., Olean
Women’s Shelters: http://www.womenshelters.org/cit/ny-buffalo
Cornerstone Manor150 E. North St., Buffalo
Buffalo City Mission Women’s Shelter100 E. Tupper St., Buffalo
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Emergency Housing and Crisis Shelter1570 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls
24-hour PASSAGE Hotline: 285-6984
Resources
Shelters
Doweiko, Harold E (2009). Concepts of Chemical Dependency - 8th Edition. California: Brooks/Cole.
Johnson, P. (2001). Dimensions of functioning in alcoholic and nonalcoholic families. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. Vol. 23, No. 2, April 2001, p. 127-136.
Orford, J., Copello, A., Velleman, R., & Templeton, L. (2010). Family members affected by a close relative's addiction: The stress-strain-coping-support model. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 1736-43. doi:10.3109/09687637.2010.514801
Orford, J., Copello, A., Ibanga, A., Velleman, R., & Templeton, L. (2010). The experiences of affected family members: A summary of two decades of qualitative research. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, 17(S1), 44-62.
Pasternak, A., & Schier, K. (2012). The role reversal in the families of Adult Children of Alcoholics. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, (3), 51-57.
Schäfer, G. (2011). Family functioning in families with alcohol and other drug addiction. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand. (37), 135-151.
Weber, D. A., & Reynolds, C. R. (2004). Clinical perspectives on neurobiological effects of psychological trauma. Neuropsychology Review, 14(2), 115-129.
References