Exploring whether family involvement and support can assist in substance abuse treatment of relatives

Abstract

Whilst abuse of substances creates issues at the individual level, its influence has always extended to the entire family of the substance abuser. It has been found that stress and the inability of the person to distinguish between right and wrong should be regarded as the main reason for the person to take illicit drugs. Substances of abuse include taking drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, opiates, inhalants, hallucinogens, along with the consumption of alcohol often referred to as alcohol and other drugs (AOD). The effect of substance abuse, as identified from the research, proves that the substance abuser suffers health, social and psychological issues after becoming addicted to licit and illicit drugs.