“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” As F. Scott Fitzgerald aptly puts it, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” However, substance abuse can distort this new perspective, leading to devastating consequences. (Fitzgerald, F. Scott)
Substance abuse is a cause of many complex issues, involving redirection of families, causing divorces, heartbreak, and a huge emotional toll on those involved. Not only does substance abuse destroy, but it kills hopes and dreams. It may also cause family instability, abuse, or violence. Being a parent under the influence of these substances can at times make you less available, insensitive, and also emotionally unavailable to your children’s emotional and mental needs.
Substance use disorder creates a burden on the family that includes emotional burden, causing people to have fear, anxiety, and embarrassment. Addiction affects every individual’s finances; those addicted have to cover for the addiction costs themselves, but they may not be able to work because of it, which might end up leading to unemployment, homelessness, and poverty.
On the economy, the disorderly use of these substances may increase crime, cause violence, property damage, lack of productivity, implications of criminal justice, and more. This can also affect an individual’s mental health and lead to huge spending on medical bills and recovery centers where you might want to get help.
The reliance on the family for money to supply oneself with the substance can also cause a financial burden on the family, leading to tension in the house. There might also be unnecessary spending for you to get help since you might go and come back only to still go use the substances again.
This is because we do have corrupt rehabilitation centers where people pay to get substances inside.By working together, we can fight this pandemic of substance abuse and create a supportive and caring environment for the affected ones. We can build a brighter future together by creating campaigns that deal with substance use disorder. Contact any of the helplines:
-Substance abuse 24-hour helpline: 0800 12 13 14
– Alcoholics Anonymous: 0861 435 722
– Narcotics Anonymous: 083 900 6962