I conducted a survey with over 100 dual-diagnosis patients in my clinic and asked them to rate and describe the adverse effects of their disorders on their family. The written responses of patients indicated that they were quite aware of their behaviors and how these affected their families in a multiplicity of negative ways. These responses also showed the guilt and shame they felt. But when I started using crack cocaine, I went downhill real fast. I got reported to Children and Youth Services after getting arrested and ended up losing my kids to a foster home.
Families often provide poignant descriptions of their experiences as well.
For years I was a nervous wreck because I always worried about my wife. When she was depressed I tried to lift her up. When she was getting high, I tried to make her want to stop using. I got real angry because she wasted so much money on drugs. We were always behind on bills and deep in debt.