What is a Family to Do When a Member is on Drugs?

Do you have a member of your family on drugs?  I found out that it does not matter the age of the person that is dealing with drugs. It could be a teen or maybe even a 40,50, 60 or older person.  When they are able to talk, they express the draw that these drugs have on them. They are dependent on the high that they receive from taking them. They have low self esteem, but the drugs give them confidence and courage. They usually hang around people who are of the same calibre, low self esteem. These people bond and they find that they are drawn to each other.

You, as a family member, do not understand the draw nor the need of these drugs, unless you have been there yourself. Many of us have not.

Perhaps you can get them to go to rehab, but no amount of rehab will work, unless they commit to the fact that they cannot do drugs. They have to find another way to compact their problems. Usually if a mother is a user, the tendency for her children to do the same will be prevalent. When you are rehabilitating the mother, or parent, you have to get the kids in a program, such as Al-anon, only one drug related. The user needs to attend Narcotics Annoymous meetings.

It does not matter what type of drugs you are on. The “light” ones have a tendency to lead to stronger ones. They will take every cent you have in the bank to keep up the habit. The pusher or seller will make oodles of money from you, and the drug user will find that no money will add to his depression/low self esteem. They will steal from their own family members to support their habit. Things will go missing in the house that they live in, and be sold to pay for their habit.

Drugs are addictive. They can ruin a life, and other lives around them. The user is humiliated with their problem, and they find that they do not have control over their usage. It makes them go deeper in depression. Everyone around them suffers, especially them.

Alcohol is not a good thing either. It can do the same things that drugs do. It changes the chemical balance of a system and can be addictive, also. Living with an alcohol is a difficult task and effects many families.

Remember to love the sinner, but hate the sin. Have understanding for the person who has the substance problem. Try to gain their confidence by just being there to listen.  Pray for them, as they are fighting a demon that can consume their very existence.