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Addiction's Effects on Family
 Nearly 17 million (or almost one in four) children live in a household where a parent or other adult is a binge or heavy drinker. At the same time, approximately 13 percent of children (9.2 million) live in a home where a parent or other adult uses illicit drugs.
The numbers are staggering, and the negative effects of addiction aren't limited to the individual who is abusing drugs and alcohol. That means that the addicted person isn't the only one in need of help. Recovery extends to the entire family. While the focus is usually on the options available to those in need of treatment, support also exists for those affected by a family member's addiction.
The addict is usually the star of the show in a dysfunctional family, grabbing the spotlight in the form of the majority of the attention and mental energy. The supporting cast all play roles as well, in the form of caretakers, heroes, scapegoats and more.
For the family of an addicted person, one of the biggest issues can be accepting the fact that the addict's sobriety is not something family members are responsible for or can control. Once they realize that, they can focus on understanding the recovery process and learn to let go of co-dependent habits. There are groups that family members can join for support. Talking to other families going through a similar situation can help as well. Finally, books for family members of addicts can also offer support. The important thing is for family to find support in some form because addiction effects far more than just the addicted.
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