Addictions can be physical or mental, and they usually affect both victim and family.
Many people with addictions do not realize it, or deny it. Because addictions are often regarded as moral failures rather than treatable problems, shame and guilt often prevent diagnosis and treatment and recovery. Whether a person is addicted to alcohol, cocaine, abuse, taking care of an addicted person, there is usually emotional damage to both the addicted person and others around him. Many of the articles below refer to alcoholism, but could apply just as well to other addictions. The important thing is to know that help is available.