The Consequences of Substance Abuse: Physical, Mental, and Social Impacts

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are connected to a variety of medical, psychiatric, psychological, spiritual, economic, social, family, and legal issues, causing a significant burden on affected individuals, families, and society. The severity of the disorder, the presence of other serious problems such as psychiatric illness, the behaviors illustrated by the family member with an SUD, the support available for the family, and the family members' coping strategies all influence the effects of an SUD on a specific family or concerned significant other. Some family members are more resilient than others and are less vulnerable to the adverse effects of SUD.