Effects on Addict

• Addiction to a narcotic creates a vicious cycle. The addict creates his own illusion of reality to escape the pressures of his life. He struggles with urges or cravings that overpower his desire to take control of his actions. To cover up the use of narcotics, the addict lies to everyone in his life. He sinks further into depression and pain because of this, with the pain becoming so great that the cycle repeats itself again and again.
  
  

Effects on Family

• Narcotic drug addiction deeply affects the family members of the drug user. The addiction permeates every aspect of every relationship within the family, destroying relationships with parents, spouses, and children. The family becomes dysfunctional, working as a unit to cover for and protect the addict. This dysfunction usually creates a codependent relationship with the closest family member (typically the parent or spouse). Although children of an addict may not abuse narcotics themselves, they are susceptible to continuing codependent behavior in their own family units.
  
  

Effects on Friendships

• Addicts tend to push away friends that recognize the signs of an addiction. Instead, they spend time with friends who are more approving of the addictive behavior. Addicts look for new friendships as they burn all of their bridges with old friends. The addict feels alone and isolated, with the only "friend" becoming the drug. The reality is that the addict does not realize that the only person he is fooling is himself.
  
  

Effects on Jobs

• An addict can and will maintain a job until the symptoms and signs become obvious to the employer. The most obvious sign of a problem is calling in sick or not showing up for work at the proper time on an ongoing basis. Depending on the drug, the addict can appear depressed or overly excitable, resulting in wide mood swings from day to day. An addict may eventually be terminated for repeat offenses.
  
  

Effects on Society

• The addict creates a strain on society as financial independence is terminated, home life has deteriorated, and he no longer has family or friends to support him. His cravings for the drug override his moral decisions and can result in stealing from others (particularly family) to support his narcotic drug addiction. Addicts often believe that society owes them support, such as shelters, food banks, and governmental services, because their addiction makes them believe that the world revolves around them.