University Health Services

For a confidential employee assistance appointment, please call (510) 643-7754.

Impact of Substance Abuse on Family Life

"The effects of substance abuse frequently extend beyond the nuclear family. Extended family members may experience feelings of abandonment, anxiety, fear, anger, concern, embarrassment, or guilt; they may wish to ignore or cut ties with the person abusing substances... Moreover, the effects on families may continue for generations. Intergenerational effects of substance abuse can have a negative impact on role modeling, trust, and concepts of normative behavior, which can damage the relationships between generations." 1(link is external)

Impact of Substance Abuse on Work Life

Substance abuse can have a significant impact in the workplace, including decreased worker productivity and increased workplace conflict. Employees who have a family member, who has a problem with alcohol or substance abuse, are more likely to experience stress, which in turn can impact both their home as well as work life.

Getting Help

If you are concerned about yourself, a coworker or a family member who may be dealing with alcohol or substance abuse, please call Employee Assistance at (510) 643-7754 to set up a confidential appointment. The Employee Assistance Counselor will assess the situation, help formulate a plan and identify resources for further assistance.

References

^{1 NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information - Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy: Impact of Substance Abuse on Families}