Family Addiction Paper

Words: 848
Pages: 4

Effects of Addiction on the Family:
The effects of addiction in the family are vast. Risk factors impact the family dynamics and functionality of all members of the family. Few studies are looking at the effects within the family as they impact communications however, correlations can be seen in addict behaviors and the impacts on members of the family as they relate to each other and society.

In the article Parenting and Drug addiction A Psychodynamic Proposal Based on a Multifactorial Perspective the authors look at various aspects of the addicted individuals and the effects addiction has on parenting skills. The importance of this article is that it is a “theoretical review on how the understanding of the relationship between specific
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This study was very small and had several limitations including language and cultural issues. A common theme in this study as with other research is that there is a need for behavioral change. “to treat and individual member who is addicted in isolation is to ignore the context in which much of that behavior takes place” (Baharudin, Hussin and Sumar) The authors of this expletory study also state that “Qualitative data based on interviews with former addicts reveal that communication and caregiving duties breakdown to the extent that the well-being of the children and the family as a whole are in jeopardy Brown & Hohman 2006. (As cited by Baharudin et al p301) With that being a significant recurring issue it is then reasonable to see a correlation between destructive behaviors in addiction interfering with communications not only within a family unit but within the social actions of all members within the community. Twelve step programs like NA and AA look at the “shortcomings” and “defects” of the life of the addict. Attached are the Twelve Steps of AA and NA. There is a recurring theme of self-inventory and accepting, acknowledging, and correcting behaviors that would not be considered socially acceptable. For the families of the addict are the 12 Steps programs of Al-Anon and Nar-Anon. These programs help to identify and overcome the commonly found behavior of enabling. One can again see the correlation of behaviors effecting all aspects of the family and socialization as families tend to show protective behaviors in order to excuse or minimize the impact of the addict on the community around them. In the research article Practical support aids addiction recovery: the positive identity model of change, there was a closer look at the social aspect of addiction recovery. This study was conducted over 2.5 years and involved addicted