Drugs in the family......the impact on family members

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:47 pm

Drug use is not simply a problem for the user. It affects families, Every drug user is somebody's son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother.....The impact of a family member's drug problem on the rest of the family can be devastating...... family members feel like they are walking on egg shells in case they say the wrong thing which causes an outburst of abusive behaviour, constantly worrying about what the next day may bring, having to keep family gatherings a secret so there wont be any trouble, constantly harassed to lend money, feeling that your own family member is bullying you and other members of your family into situations you would rather not be a part of. one example is a cocaine user....what’s the big deal about coke?
Taking cocaine is associated with good times – feeling confident, talking funny nonsense with your mates and making your nights out last longer.But what about the bad times? Like when you are feeling paranoid, the next day comedown or the nights when all you can think about is your next line?

Cocaine can make you feel good, but it’s very addictive and it can easily become a habit that controls your life. And it’s not as safe as you may think it is – repeated use can cause agitated behaviour, mood swings, and heart attacks, which also can destroy the lives of family members........it isnt fair!!!!!!

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 8:23 pm

I make no secret of my utter dislike of drugs and all that is associated with them. I have been unfortunate enough to work with a girl who took ecstacy on her 21st birthday and died, I have had to mourn a step sister who died after becoming infected with hepititus from a life that spiraled out of control from dropping a couple of acids in a club until her heroine and consequent controlled methadone addiction meant she became estranged from the family and lost her own children until she ultimately passed away at 29 years old. I have had the remorse from performing CPR on a young girl in a night club and watching her ebb away in front of my very eyes after taking a mixture of drugs... 4 days before christmas.
It not only has an impact on the user, but the lives of anyone associated with them, albeit the stranger, the work colleague or the family member.

Drugs are not clever or cool.

I know the counter arguement will be someone piping up about alcohol and smoking killing more people... its always what the users come up with for some excuse... everyone always has an excuse...

My work colleague told me I was dull for having never tried drugs.. she told me 'you haven't lived' - well I am alive and she isn't. Say no more.

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:43 pm

I too totally disagree with all recreational drug use, never done it and never will.
But i'm also sympathetic to those people whose lives have got so bad that drugs is the only escape.
We live in a crappy world sometimes and we all have our demons I think, we just all deal with things in different ways. Sadly some deal with it through alcohol, some through sex, and others through drugs etc.
There is usually a route underlying cause beneath serious addictions, its just a shame people dont get the help they need before its too late.
Again I hate drugs but who are we to judge.

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 1:35 am

Vili wrote:

I too totally disagree with all recreational drug use, never done it and never will.
But i'm also sympathetic to those people whose lives have got so bad that drugs is the only escape.
We live in a crappy world sometimes and we all have our demons I think, we just all deal with things in different ways. Sadly some deal with it through alcohol, some through sex, and others through drugs etc.
There is usually a route underlying cause beneath serious addictions, its just a shame people dont get the help they need before its too late.
Again I hate drugs but who are we to judge.

I agree stefano some ppl do use drugs as an escape from reality but what about the victims who are on the receiving end of their downwards spiral and constant abuse............when its around us and someone close to us then i think we have a right to judge.......being scared to open ur front door or dreading that fone call that ur family member has taken his last fix.......it devides families, makes family life a misery and a living hell, constantly worrying that you might say the wrong thing and push that person to erupt again, hiding things of value so they wont take it and sell it for drug money. the list is endless and its heart breaking........just saying

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:01 am

Its a persons personal choice to say NO!!!
Blaming a crappy life when taking them is no excuse!!
Alot of people lead crappy lives, but choose not to take drugs!!(Its not an excuse or a reason)

My personal opinion I don't expect people to agree!!

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:34 pm

battywoman wrote:

Its a persons personal choice to say NO!!!
Blaming a crappy life when taking them is no excuse!!
Alot of people lead crappy lives, but choose not to take drugs!!(Its not an excuse or a reason)

My personal opinion I don't expect people to agree!!

Sorry but you obviously dont understand addiction. Im not talking about smoking weed down the pub. I didnt say anything about blaming a crappy life did I. Your right we all have choices, but an awful lot of people dont know how to make the right ones, whiich is why education is maybe the most important thing particularly with ppl who hav little or no family support. Sometimes its not choice its the situation we live in.
I find it easy not to take drugs, many dont.
We should understand rather than condemn.

Lucille, a very good point you make and I agree that would be extremely hard, youve obvioulsly been through it huh. im in noway condoning drug addiction just always try to understand why.

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:50 pm

stefano I think batty means they can say NO from the start.....no one is an addict to begin with......I just cant undertstand why ppl need 2 try it in the first place when they know the risk......I dont get it......and I never will......and I wudnt wish bein a family member of a drug addict on my worst enemy.......when times are good they're very good.......but when the come down takes place and innocent ppl are affected its a living hell and the impact is heart breaking.......just sayin

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:54 pm

Check out x factor USA this week, section on Chris Rene. There can be a light at the end of tunnel for ppl with addictions. Im moved to tears.

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:36 am

Exactly Lucy!!!!
The excuse seems to be the same all the time (I've had a hard life)
Say *NO* its not rocket science.
No one needs educating in the fact that its WRONG!!
And as for pier pressure where drugs are, they'd soon say no if someone was egging them on to jump off a cliff!!
When it does ruin lives ( and I mean their families) yeah I do feel sorry for them!
But in no which way or form do I feel any sympathy when its THEIR choice to start.

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:38 pm

Batty you seem very sure of yourself.
Did you grow up in an inner city with zero hope of a future. With alcoholic or drug addict parents, or parents who broke up. In a system that doesnt give a crap about the downtrodden. I strongly feel we need to put ourselves in other peoples shoes sometimes to really empathize. If you grow up surrounded by it its normal to follow the same path, the same road to self destruction because that is all you know. Sometimes that is the choice.
Iv not been through it and I really hate drugs but I think we need to not be so narrow minded.

I love a good debate by the way, no offence intended or taken by any comments.