This section looks at the effect on the family when someone is abusing alcohol or other drugs.

In many
cases the person is not an addict or an alcoholic. They are just drinking or taking drugs in a way which
upsets other.

It is well known that a parent with a drug or alcoholic problem can have a negative effect on their family
members. You could say that the person with the problem is like someone stuck in a bog. The other
family members, in their effort to help, often get pulled down into the bog too. The first step in putting
things right is when the other start to get their own feet on solid ground. Only a after they have done
this will they be able to help tackle the addiction problem.

It is not easy to live a person whose drinking or drug use is causing problems. The drinker or drug user is
often full of conflict. Torn between wanting their drug or alcohol and not wanting the harm that always
seems to follow. They often blame other when things go wrong.

If you are that partner. The first step towards putting thing right is to take some time yourself. And get
the support you need. A good friend or a counsellor can be a great help. See ‘Family support’ below.

The son or daughter of a parent abusing alcohol or drugs can also end up bogged down. They often
adopt a role which helps the family, but they may get stuck in the role and neglect their own needs.
Families describes some of these roles. Can you see yourself in one of these roles, or in elements of a
couple of them? You can change! It’s easier if you get support

Whole families can seem to go to pieces when there is a son or daughter using drugs or alcohol. Parents
fall out with each other over how to handle the situation, while other sons or daughters can get blamed
for being a bad example. The drug user gets so much attention that others are neglected. Rows and bad
language upset the peace. If peace and love are the oxygen of life, then the whole family is gasping for
breath.

Even if you are the only person in the family who recognises the alcohol or drug problem, it is worth
while getting support for yourself, from a friend or a trusted teacher or a counsellor.

Even if you are the only person in the family who recognises the alcohol or drug problem, it is worth
while getting support for yourself, from a friend or a trusted teacher or a counsellor.

Drug and alcohol is not good in the body because that is learned to die you use the alcohol but not all
the time and not to use the drug because that is not good for your family you smoke but not use the
drugs and don’t killed every one after you are drunk.