United States: New research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs shows just how much alcohol and drugs have taken their toll on families in America. Over 40 million people of the USA state they were adversely affected by someone else’s substance use; alcoholic or drug-dependent person negatively affects families, partners, children, relatives, friends, and coworkers, as reported by HealthDay.
Study findings
- One-third of respondents were negatively affected by someone else’s alcohol consumption.
- 14% reported similar harm due to a loved one’s drug use.
- Combined, nearly 158 million Americans have faced harm linked to another person’s substance use—113 million due to alcohol and 46 million due to drugs.
The secondary effects included family strife, financial difficulties, and physical harm, including injuries from drunk-driving incidents.
Overlapping Harms
Interestingly, 30% of respondents harmed by another’s drinking also reported experiencing harm from drug use, underscoring the complex and overlapping nature of these issues.
“More Harm Than People Think”
“There are more harms than people think,” said Dr. William Kerr, co-author of the study and researcher at the Alcohol Research Group. He emphasized the far-reaching impact of risky drinking and drug use, which can devastate families and communities.
While research into the secondhand effects of alcohol abuse has grown recently, Dr. Kerr noted that less is known about the broader harm caused by drug use. The findings call attention to an underexplored but crucial public health issue.
A Call for Action
The study underscores the need for better access to treatment and harm-reduction strategies, such as tackling drunk driving and improving support systems for affected individuals. Dr. Kerr said, “For every individual with an alcohol use disorder, multiple others may suffer collateral damage. This highlights the urgent need for systemic solutions to mitigate these harms.”
Looking Ahead
Researchers plan to delve deeper into the subject by exploring the specific negative effects caused by individual substances. As the conversation grows, the hope is to bring visibility to those suffering silently due to a loved one’s substance abuse, as reported by HealthDay.