Coping With Substance Use Issues
Substance use disorders have an effect on the whole family structure as well as those who directly interact with the substance-using person. This essay will discuss the emotions extended family members may experience when coping with substance use issues within the family system. The effects of addiction go beyond the nuclear family, affecting neighbors, coworkers, and other members of the community. Do you need help in your assignment?
Feelings Extended Family Members Experience When Coping With Substance Use Issues
Extended family members may feel various emotions when coping with substance use disorders within the family system. Family members could have a crippling sense of helplessness due to their inability to act or influence the behavior of the family member battling with substance use (Ilesanmi et al., 2023). Having no control over a situation might make one frustrated and angry. Second, extended family members are frequently consumed with worry and anxiety over the welfare and safety of both the substance-using person and other family members, especially children who might be exposed to the negative effects of addiction.
As family members observe the damaging effects of substance use on their loved ones and the family as a whole, there may also be a pervading sense of despair and grief. Members of the extended family struggle with shame or stigma, fearing criticism from others and finding it difficult to talk about substance use issues in public (Sampson et al., 2023). Last but not least, continuing tension and strain on relationships within the extended family may be a factor in the development of these negative emotions. It is crucial to attend to their needs and offer support to help them deal with the difficulties of substance use within the family system. The emotional toll that extended family members experience generally includes feelings of helplessness, frustration, concern, grief, and humiliation.
Conclusion
Substance use issues within a family system have far-reaching consequences that extend to the extended family, neighbors, coworkers, and beyond. Extended family members often grapple with complex and distressing emotions, including helplessness, frustration, worry, and shame, as they cope with the challenges of addiction. Recognizing and addressing the feelings experienced by these individuals is vital in developing a comprehensive approach to support not only the person struggling with substance use but also the entire family unit.
References
Ilesanmi, O. O., Ilesanmi, F. I., & Hajji, R. (2023). Innovative Family Therapy for Households in Global Complex Humanitarian Crises. In www.intechopen.com. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/86483
Sampson, D., Heinsch, M., Geddes, J., Velleman, R., Gill Velleman, Maree Teesson, Newton, N., & Kay-Lambkin, F. (2023). “I no longer know that person”: Experiences of families living with someone using crystal methamphetamine. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0284156–e0284156. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284156
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Question 
Coping With Substance Use Issues
Substance use by a family member not only affects the nuclear family members but also the extended family, neighbors, coworkers, etc. What feelings might be extended family members experience when coping with substance use issues within the family system?