Substance abuse is a critical issue accompanied by numerous complications. They are related to all spheres of human life and, more specifically, communication with other people at different levels (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, n.d.). The destructive impact of excessive drug or alcohol consumption can be revealed through the assessment of its role in relationships. However, it does not necessarily mean that the consequences of this harmful habit cannot be mitigated since there are various treatment options, allowing individuals to save their families and return to a healthy lifestyle.
The first aspect of the matter is an addict’s interactions with others, which evoke concerns of the person’s relatives and medical specialists. This challenge tends to create emotional distance between them and thereby destroy mutual understanding essential for a favorable environment in any context. For example, the couples in which one of the partners starts abusing alcohol or drugs are known for continuous conflicts, violence, money problems, the lack of responsibility, and the resulting high stress levels (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, n.d.). Moreover, children are reported to suffer in such families, which is especially serious due to the ongoing process of their personality formation (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, n.d.). Therefore, treatment is a critical necessity in such cases, when many people are involved.
It targets all family members influenced by substance abuse for developing support. In this case, the options for overcoming this condition are individual or group counseling, self-help meetings, and special programs motivating the patients to solve the problem (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, n.d.). Thus, a complex approach to this challenge is the best suitable solution to stay in relationships while ensuring others’ safety.
Reference
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (n.d.). Substance abuse and intimate relationships. Web.