It affects every member of the family and can have a lasting impact on their lives. The effect on family members varies from person to person and family to family.
Addiction is a process rather than an event.
In the beginning, people often do not experience any difficulties. As their use continues, they may begin to focus more on the alcohol, drugs or gambling than they do on the other areas of their lives. This process is often influenced by a number of factors, including the culture they live in, life events, their biological makeup and their relationships with family and friends. Researchers have looked at genetics, environment, and the combination of these two to explain how dependence develops. Right now, it is believed that some people are genetically susceptible to becoming dependent.