Kim Humphrey
Submitted photo
By Kim Humphrey | Parents of Addicted Loved Ones
Nearly 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from SUD — substance use disorder. While much attention on the opioid epidemic has been directed toward the user, little has been done to minimize the impact on the family, who often suffer as collateral damage.
Families of addicted loved ones endure physical and stress-related health issues, marital problems and financial difficulties. They are often confused, hurting and desperate to find help. Unfortunately, natural parenting instincts can sometimes cause more harm.
Research from the National Institutes of Health notes that the impact of SUD on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances. For children, there is also an increased risk of developing SUD themselves.Families are not just victims of addiction but are crucial to the solution.
Significant research shows a direct correlation between a healthy family response and success in recovery for those with addiction. Until we treat addiction as a family disease, there will be missed opportunities for lasting recovery.
From my personal experience and work with PAL — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — I can say firsthand that families suffer, often in silence, due to fear and stigma associated with this disease. This exacerbates the problem, creating incredible stress on families.
Family members instinctively want to help their loved ones, even in the depths of their addiction. However, in doing so, parents and caretakers endure severe emotional stress that can become physical. For example, the weight of these diseases can manifest as anxiety disorders or other stress-related conditions, such as heart problems.
My family suffered immensely, and at some points, we all felt like there was no hope, spiraling into depression that also manifested in physical illness.
Organizations like PAL help by creating peer-led programs designed to educate and support families navigating the difficulties of having an addicted loved one. Support groups combine practical tools and education with emotional support to help break destructive cycles. One of the most impactful things families can do is learn to set healthy, loving boundaries that let individuals care for themselves while caring for their loved ones.
Key in all of this is to realize that there is hope, especially when we shift our focus to supporting families and providing resources to help their healing process. We consistently say that as long as someone is breathing, there is hope, regardless of how far they seem to have fallen into this disease.
When families are supported, we strengthen the support an addicted loved one has in a way that promotes long-lasting recovery. This helps create a community and gives families a safe place to discuss and find the best ways to navigate this journey. In turn, we reduce shame and allow many to openly discuss what healthy, loving non-enabling behavior looks like. Most importantly, we outline a path forward for everyone impacted.
Addiction may begin with a choice, but science has confirmed the effects these drugs have on the brain, affecting the decision-making aspects of the person. They are no longer in the driver’s seat. This is why we see negative behaviors that can spiral out of control and deeply affect all those who interact with them.
Those in addiction need treatment to restore their health, heal their brain and learn to cope in life without these drugs. Once addiction begins, it can deeply impact the individual, but ultimately, the entire community is affected.
To truly address the addiction crisis, we need to recognize that addiction is not an isolated problem but a family disease. If we witnessed an entire family stricken by cancer, we would immediately look for ways to support and help restore them to health. Can we start seeing addiction this way?
Editor’s note: Kim Humphrey is CEO/executive director of Phoenix-based nonprofit Parents of Addicted Loved Ones. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
