A 2017 Pew Research Center survey discovered that 46% of American adults know a family member or close friend who is addicted to illicit drugs or has been in the past. Drug addiction takes a huge toll on families, causing conflict, abuse, strained relationships, and financial hardship, among others. Consequently, it isn’t unnatural to consider cutting off drug addicts in your life, even if they are your siblings. However, the mere thought of turning your back on family can put you in a moral dilemma that can cause you to ask, “Is it Wrong To Want To Disown A Sibling Addicted To Drugs?”
Dealing With A Sibling Addicted To Drugs
Many experts consider siblings of addicts the invisible victims of the drug addiction canker that eats away at family ties. Parents are often so focused on the sibling with the addiction that you may be forced to take the sidelines. As such, you might feel various emotions like frustration, shame, confusion, and resentment.
Some siblings commit to never following the path taken by their sister or brother. Others turn to substance abuse to escape the pain or gain some attention from their parents. However, if you manage to stay clean, your sibling’s habit can cause:
- Financial hardship- A drug habit is costly, and many addicts dedicate all their money towards sustaining it. Therefore, you may have to take on some of your sibling’s financial responsibilities since they may have difficulty keeping a job. Also, you may need to pay for bail if they fall into legal trouble.
- Abuse- Drug addicts are erratic and difficult to deal with, so you may suffer various forms of abuse when your sibling is under the influence of these drugs.
- Broken trust- Your sibling may steal and sell all your valuables, destroying the trust you had in them.
- Potential for more addicts in the family- There is always a chance that another family member will pick up substance abuse since your sibling is a bad influence.
These issues can lead you to think about cutting ties with them. However, you may quickly find yourself asking, “am I wrong for wanting to disown my drug-addict sibling” after this comes to mind. It is a normal emotional response to dealing with an addicted sibling. Also, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will go ahead with it.
Nevertheless, addiction remains a disease, so many experts agree that it is better to give your sibling the help they need to kick this habit instead of simply disowning them. For this, you can:
- Enroll them in an intensive outpatient and outpatient treatment program- An intensive outpatient program can help put your sibling on a sustainable path to long-term recovery thanks to quality treatment. An outpatient program is also worth considering as a less intense but equally effective treatment alternative.
- Enroll them in virtual drug rehab- Your sibling may be facing several barriers to in-person treatment like work, family, distance, and even stigma. Virtual drug therapy is the best answer to their rehab needs, eliminating any barriers and allowing them to receive the same level of care from the comfort of their home.
- Sign them up for multiple pathways treatment- Your sibling can benefit from more than one approach to addiction treatment, so it may be best to enroll them in this program.
The Impact Outpatient Program For Addiction Recovery
Our highly trained experts can treat your sibling for drug addiction using an individualized plan and effective evidence-based therapy. Also, we adopt a judgment-free approach to patient care that boosts recovery chances. Contact us today to get started.