Drug abuse is devastating to a family. When a parent uses drugs it affects the whole family. If a person uses drugs, it affects his partner and his children. Children who use drugs also affect the entire family. Common characteristics of parents or children who abuse drugs are negativism, parental inconsistency, failure to express anger, self-medication and unrealistic parental expectations. The effects depend on whether the addict lives with a partner and with or without children. The use of medications can also complicate pregnancy. Drugs can kill, but someone can ask for help before that happens. The parents affect the whole family with their drug problem. It has many negative effects on family members. The person with the drug problem can be compared to someone stuck in a swamp. Other family members, in an attempt to help, can also be dragged into the swamp (www.drugs.ie). To help the person you must first get them onto solid ground. Once they do this, they will be able to help themselves and their family. A person's drug use can also affect his or her partner. Their relationship can be full of conflict and blame. They may have difficulty choosing between medications or a partner. They may also think that they are not good enough for their partner. The partner also has difficulties. They take on new responsibilities and experience feelings of failure. This damages the relationship and can potentially end it for them. A parent's drug problem affects his or her children mostly in negative ways. Then children take on new roles that lead them to neglect their own needs. An example role is becoming a role model parent for a younger sibling. The parents' drug problem causes the child to feel guilty and have low self-esteem. There is also a greater chance that a person... middle of paper... could soon overdose and die. Their death would bring a lot of sadness to their family. Overall, someone's drug problem can have devastating effects on a family. Parents' drug problem affects the entire family, as well as their children. If it is the child who uses drugs, it also has repercussions on the whole family. Characteristics of parents or children who abuse drugs include, but are not limited to, negativism, parental inconsistency, failed anger expression, self-medication, and unrealistic parental expectations. The effects that the addict has depend on whether he lives alone or with a partner and with or without children. Most cases have very similar effects on the family. Drugs can complicate pregnancy or even kill. People can get help by attending treatment programs and getting help from professionals. Drugs can be helpful, but not if abused.